Colorado to introduce new marijuana laws

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The laws include a variety of measure to improve the marijuana space in the state

Beginning January 1 of next year, the cannabis industry in Colorado will have new laws to consider. Among those that have been approved include a new audit and approval process for a number of infused products, accreditation requirements for testing facilities, mandatory testing and the recycling of marijuana stalks, stems and roots in order to produce non-consumable fibrous products.

According to Colorado Department of Revenue Executive Director Michael S. Hartman, “The adoption of these new rules is the conclusion of a truly collaborative effort between members of the marijuana industry, the health community, regulators and other interested parties. All of these stakeholders share the state’s mission to protect public health and safety, as evidenced by enhanced standards for audited products, including nasal sprays and inhalers. We couldn’t do this work without the feedback and partnership from the diverse group who participated in the rulemaking process.”

The rules are meant to target health and safety risks that are linked to certain marijuana products not covered under current regulations. These include inhalers, nasal suppositories and nasal sprays, which were determined by public health experts to require additional controls.

The rules also address business efficiencies in an effort to ensure that marijuana businesses comply with regulations. They will remove the vertical integration requirement, which previously stated that medical marijuana centers had to source the bulk of their supply from affiliated cultivators.

As explained by Jim Durack, Director for the Marijuana Enforcement Division, “Our goal is always to develop rules that are transparent, systematic, operable, and grounded in law, so licensees are able to fully comply with all regulations. We’ve focused on developing rules that first and foremost uphold the state’s priority to protect the public and at the same time realistically incentivize industry compliance.”