Colorado House Bill 1317 that will overhaul the marijuana industry has been sent to Governor Jared Polis to sign. The groundbreaking bill that easily passed in the Colorado House of Representatives and unanimously passed in the Senate, will address much needed marijuana research, both public and consumer education, physician and industry accountability measures, limits on daily marijuana product purchase amounts, and statewide retail data tracking.
Some of the highlights include:
1. Requiring the Colorado School of Public Health to conduct a systematic review of the scientific research related to the possible physical and mental health effects of high-potency THC marijuana and concentrates and produce a public education campaign for the general public regarding the its effects on the developing brain and mental health.
2. Requires greater accountability of physicians who recommend medical marijuana including providing patient and recommendation data to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
3. Directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to compile medical and retail marijuana program data and report annually to the legislature.
4. Directs coroners to perform toxicology screens on all unnatural death cases and report the findings as directed. Additionally, it directs the coroners’ association to form a work group to make recommendations to the legislature.
5. Limits the amount of medical marijuana concentrate that a patient can purchase in one day to 8 grams, or 2 grams if the patient is 18 to 20 years old. Each gram package must be divided into 10 individual containers.
6. Requires accountability on the part of medical or retail marijuana stores as to required consumer warnings, and tracking and eligibility verification steps.
