The production of cannabis products is changing. Lawmakers are taking notice of this steady change thinking that it is problematic. Sending Colorado towards the biggest overhaul of marijuana laws since 2012.
According to The Denver Post, in 2014 cannabis and flower took up the majority of medical and recreation cannabis sold. The high-potency concentrates consumed through dab rings or vape pens only accounted for 11 percent. By 2019, concentrates took up a third of the market and flower was below 50 percent.
THC Concentrates are several times more potent than flower and edibles. But THC continues to become more popular.
Political groups and social groups are concerned that teenagers have too much access to these products. They are also concerned that teenagers are not being educated about the risks or effects.
Lawmakers in Action
Currently, lawmakers are working on what could be considered the biggest cannabis legislation in Colorado since recreational cannabis was legalized in 2012. This could mean that the cannabis laws as we know them will be changing in Colorado.
The bill would closely regulate the state’s industry with a range of proposals. Including a condition that people seek medical cards in person instead of online. Also, there will be a possible THC potency cap.
The impact of this bill has the cannabis industry and its advocates warning of a soft prohibition. Its potential impact is again raising concerns about racial inequity in the business.
For those that are in favor of this bill, they are using the health and safety of children as the main priority and concern for their argument. Colorado dispensary owners have pointed out that when it comes to liquor and alcohol percentage lawmakers are not concerned. Lawmakers are not interested in limiting the 95% alcohol. Or enforcing strict purchase limits like they do with THC and concentrates.
What is in the Bill?
Lawmakers are interested in having a conversation about weed potency. Other changes on the table include creating a database to keep track of daily limits and purchases.
Negotiations may lead to a cap on only concentrates, but there hasn’t been a set percentage yet. When everything is laid out and agreed upon with lawmakers. The package could be the state’s most comprehensive reassessment of cannabis regulations since voters approved recreational marijuana in 2012.
What Do People Think?
A poll from the liberal political group Blue Rising Together shows two-thirds of Coloradans support a THC potency cap. Caps have for the most part failed elsewhere. Supporters and opponents of the bill do agree on one thing. Science should be the guiding principle behind setting caps, not political compromise.
Until scientific studies have peer reviewed and published results we have to rely on what we already know. There is a high demand for more scientific studies but because marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug and federally regulated it makes them difficult to complete.
Despite the controversy, many customers and users attest to the benefits of the products. Like pain relief and sleep aid among others. This bill will recriminalize something that many people in the industry fought hard to decriminalize.
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