CO Dept Of Revenue “Marijuana Enforcement Division” Publishes 2024 Round Up In Latest Newsletter

MED launches a new website

In an effort to improve the user experience and user interface with the MED website, the Division has created a new, simplified site that launched this week. The new URL is https://med.colorado.gov/.

MED completes 374 underage compliance checks through November

The Division has conducted 374 underage compliance checks through the end of November 2024, with 5 fails for a 98.7% pass rate.

New rules approved by the State Licensing Authority

On Oct. 11, 2024, the State Licensing Authority adopted and filed permanent rules related to SB24-076 with the Secretary of State. SB24-076, the Streamline Marijuana Regulation bill, made changes to several provisions throughout the Marijuana Code and focused on three primary areas: (a) Licensing requirements and application processes; (b) Allowances for transfers of genetic material; and (c) Sales and required warnings at stores.

The adopted rules took effect on Dec. 4, 2024. The Division published two Industry Bulletins to help stakeholders understand the new rules and new fee schedule.

1. Industry Bulletin 24-07: Rulemaking Adoption
2. Industry Bulletin 24-08: Modifications to Rules Implementing SB24-076 and Newly Implemented Rules

MED works to cut costs and create efficiencies in marijuana licensing and regulation

In 2024, the Division continued to implement cost-cutting measures and streamline regulations in the face of an industry downturn and in accordance with SB24-076.

Among those activities, the MED has:

• Reduced its office space by 55% to 17,791 square feet this fiscal year from 39,633 square feet in fiscal year 2021.
• Kept staffing levels low through attrition and reduced expenses by assigning a percentage of MED personnel to the implementation of the natural medicine program.
• Reduced its annual operating expenses by more than 60% to $650,000 this fiscal year, down from $1.75 million in FY21.

MED Senior Director named CANNRA president in June

MED Senior Director Dominique Mendiola was named the president of the Cannabis Regulators Association in June. MED’s work with CANNRA, a nonpartisan association of government agencies regulating cannabis and cannabinoids, supports the Division’s efforts to further refine its regulatory framework.

Mendiola and MED staff also participated in the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) social equity tour when the group had an event last spring in Denver. Tour organizers describe the tour as “a national movement, aiming to fortify the presence and influence of social equity applicants and operators in the burgeoning cannabis sector.”

MED issues warning about the use of chemically derived THC in regulated products

As the sales of hemp-derived THC products continue to climb nationwide, the Marijuana Enforcement Division (Division) issued a notice in April 2024 to set clear expectations for the use of hemp-derived products in the manufacture of regulated marijuana products. The conversion of hemp extract into THC products is completed through a chemical conversion process using industrial chemicals. The inversion of chemically derived THC products from outside of the Regulated Marijuana industry is a license violation affecting public safety.

Colorado Department of Transportation

Cocktails and Cannabis: Get home safely this holiday season

With family gatherings, work parties, and special nights out with friends, the holidays can be a time of indulgence. But even one cocktail plus half a gummy can impair you enough to be at risk of a DUI … or worse. Get home safely this holiday season by never driving drunk or high — and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Learn more with CDOT’s Ultimate Holiday Guide to Safe Driving.

Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

Medical Marijuana Registry patient application fee change

The application processing fee for a medical marijuana registry card is now $52, effective Oct. 15, 2024. The Board of Health adopted this change in August 2024. For more information visit the Medical Marijuana Registry’s website.

Change in medical marijuana registry caregiver card format

The Department implemented a slight format change to the medical marijuana registry caregiver cards, effective Nov. 22, 2024. The cards now say “Date of birth” rather than “DOB” above the caregiver’s birth date. Check out samples of the caregiver cards or visit the Registry’s website to see sample patient and caregiver cards.

New marijuana pregnancy and lactation guidance available

CDPHE has created new Cannabis-Pregnancy and Lactation Clinical Guidance, as well as a Cannabis, You and Your Baby fact sheet, available as a printed handout, a poster version, and in multiple languages. For more information, please visit the Marijuana Health Care Provider Resources page.

Colorado Energy Office

Eligible cannabis cultivators and manufacturers can save thousands of dollars in energy costs through CROP

The Colorado Energy Office will host an informational webinar at 11 a.m. on Jan. 7, 2025, for the Cannabis Resource Optimization Program (CROP). CROP provides technical resources to cannabis cultivation and product manufacturing facilities located outside of Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, and Platte River Power Authority territories. On average, participants who receive an assessment can find more than $40,000 in annual energy bill savings. The webinar will provide a breakdown of the program and what to expect when participating. Register for the informational webinar. More information about the program is available on the CROP website.