Marijuana industry wants to be treated like alcohol
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Colorado's marijuana industry is renewing its push to be treated like alcohol with sales and consumption allowed at public events like Red Rocks concerts.
The big picture: The effort is part of a broader initiative to right-size the state's regulations a decade after the start of recreational sales and remove the current "belt and suspenders" approach put into law.
What they're saying: "I think everybody recognizes that the industry has evolved … and some of the rules and regulations put in place 10 years ago are either antiquated or duplicative," said Chuck Smith, board president of Colorado Leads, an industry advocacy group.
State of play: The first step is a new law signed in June designed to streamline existing regulations on licensing and sales of marijuana plants, the industry says.
- The rulemaking process at the Marijuana Enforcement Division that started this week provides another opportunity to address higher fees and other regulations.
- The discussion then will move to the state Capitol for the legislative session in January.
The intrigue: One major change the industry wants is a marijuana sales and consumption area at events, such as concerts and festivals, to make it like buying a beer or cocktail.
- Other potential changes being discussed include removing caps on THC levels in products, increasing sales limits and allowing more advertising.
"The next [legislative] session is an opportunity … to regulate our industry like alcohol. That's what voters intended when Amendment 64 passed," said Liz Zukowski, the public affairs director at cannabis company Native Roots.
Yes, but: The push will face plenty of opposition from the industry's critics at the Capitol.
- Even the legislation this year to streamline regulations included new burdens on the industry when it comes to notifying consumers about potential dangers related to the products.
Zoom out: The drive comes as the industry looks to cut costs and find new revenue sources amid sales declines and tumbling prices after a post-pandemic oversupply.
- The market correction is leading companies to depart the state and dispensaries to close their doors.