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DENVER — A medical marijuana bill making its way through the Colorado State Legislature would extend the state's moratorium on new medical marijuana facilities through July 1, 2012.
Fraser Town Manager Jeff Durbin said his staff and the town board are proceeding with plans to develop local ordinances to regulate and zone medical marijuana operations within town limits to be ready for whatever comes down the pike from the state.
The Grand County commissioners are also proceeding with a review of proposed local regulations.
House Bill 1043, sponsored by Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, cleared its first hurdle in February by passing the House Judiciary Committee on a unanimous vote.
The language of the introduced version of the bill was stricken and replaced with language negotiated with the sponsor and various other parties with direct interest in the bill.
While billed primarily as “cleanup legislation” to correct problems in the Colorado Medical Marijuana Code passed last year, there will be some significant changes should the bill pass as is.
One key change will be that no one may apply for a new license until July 1, 2012, a one-year extension of the statewide moratorium on new licenses.
Existing licensees will have the ability to apply for changes to their original license application (i.e. ownership interests, affiliated grow operations) as long as they comply with existing state and local laws.
The proposed bill also removes confidentiality restrictions to grow premise license applications and allows local jurisdictions to do background checks on applicants if they choose.
Other highlights of the Colorado Legislature
By the Associated Press
• The House voted 40-25 to approve and send to the Senate a bill that would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. The bill won't change laws governing who is allowed to carry a concealed weapon, but the people who meet the legal requirements would no longer need a county permit.
• Two Democrats proposed a two-month tax amnesty later this year. Rep. Mark Ferrandino and Sen. Pat Steadman say Senate Bill 184 could raise $15 million.
• Gov. John Hickenlooper went to southern Colorado to tour the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility in Las Animas, which would close under Hickenlooper's proposed budget for next year.
• The House approved a measure (House Bill 1059) that would impose a partial ban on “crash taxes,” in which local governments recoup fire, ambulance and police costs by fining out-of-town drivers at fault for the accidents. The bill now goes to the Senate.
• Both chambers honored state roller derby teams and welcomed uniform-wearing athletes for the women's skate teams (Senate Joint Resolution 21).
• A Senate committee voted to restore the Start Smart Nutrition Program on Wednesday. Last month legislators signaled they'd cut about $124,000 needed to subsidize the breakfasts at the end of this school year. The cut would not have affected breakfasts next school year, but the proposed cut prompted widespread complaints that needy students are the wrong place to look for budget cuts.
• The state House voted 61-4 Tuesday for a bill aimed at preventing scrap metal thefts. High prices for copper and other metals have led to a rash of metal thefts at construction sites, power grid stations and other locations. House Bill 1130 aims to keep better track of who's selling scrap metal by requiring photo IDs of the sellers.
The bill also makes it illegal for scrap buyers to pay cash for metal purchases over $300.
• The Colorado House gave preliminary approval Monday to a bill that would allow the Colorado Film Commission to collect donations from moviegoers for incentive programs for filmmakers. The bill passed unanimously on a voice vote.
• Edible marijuana such as pot brownies and lollipops could be due for a new state law in Colorado. The state is expecting within days final rules governing how edible pot must be produced and sold. The guidelines include labeling requirements to state how much marijuana is in a product.
Fraser Town Manager Jeff Durbin said his staff and the town board are proceeding with plans to develop local ordinances to regulate and zone medical marijuana operations within town limits to be ready for whatever comes down the pike from the state.
The Grand County commissioners are also proceeding with a review of proposed local regulations.
House Bill 1043, sponsored by Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, cleared its first hurdle in February by passing the House Judiciary Committee on a unanimous vote.
The language of the introduced version of the bill was stricken and replaced with language negotiated with the sponsor and various other parties with direct interest in the bill.
While billed primarily as “cleanup legislation” to correct problems in the Colorado Medical Marijuana Code passed last year, there will be some significant changes should the bill pass as is.
One key change will be that no one may apply for a new license until July 1, 2012, a one-year extension of the statewide moratorium on new licenses.
Existing licensees will have the ability to apply for changes to their original license application (i.e. ownership interests, affiliated grow operations) as long as they comply with existing state and local laws.
The proposed bill also removes confidentiality restrictions to grow premise license applications and allows local jurisdictions to do background checks on applicants if they choose.
Other highlights of the Colorado Legislature
By the Associated Press
• The House voted 40-25 to approve and send to the Senate a bill that would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. The bill won't change laws governing who is allowed to carry a concealed weapon, but the people who meet the legal requirements would no longer need a county permit.
• Two Democrats proposed a two-month tax amnesty later this year. Rep. Mark Ferrandino and Sen. Pat Steadman say Senate Bill 184 could raise $15 million.
• Gov. John Hickenlooper went to southern Colorado to tour the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility in Las Animas, which would close under Hickenlooper's proposed budget for next year.
• The House approved a measure (House Bill 1059) that would impose a partial ban on “crash taxes,” in which local governments recoup fire, ambulance and police costs by fining out-of-town drivers at fault for the accidents. The bill now goes to the Senate.
• Both chambers honored state roller derby teams and welcomed uniform-wearing athletes for the women's skate teams (Senate Joint Resolution 21).
• A Senate committee voted to restore the Start Smart Nutrition Program on Wednesday. Last month legislators signaled they'd cut about $124,000 needed to subsidize the breakfasts at the end of this school year. The cut would not have affected breakfasts next school year, but the proposed cut prompted widespread complaints that needy students are the wrong place to look for budget cuts.
• The state House voted 61-4 Tuesday for a bill aimed at preventing scrap metal thefts. High prices for copper and other metals have led to a rash of metal thefts at construction sites, power grid stations and other locations. House Bill 1130 aims to keep better track of who's selling scrap metal by requiring photo IDs of the sellers.
The bill also makes it illegal for scrap buyers to pay cash for metal purchases over $300.
• The Colorado House gave preliminary approval Monday to a bill that would allow the Colorado Film Commission to collect donations from moviegoers for incentive programs for filmmakers. The bill passed unanimously on a voice vote.
• Edible marijuana such as pot brownies and lollipops could be due for a new state law in Colorado. The state is expecting within days final rules governing how edible pot must be produced and sold. The guidelines include labeling requirements to state how much marijuana is in a product.
