j_lc_2016a_2016-10-14t09:09:40z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 10/14/2016

10:05 AM -- Cost Benefit Analysis of Legalized Marijuana in Colorado



Representative Pabon, chair of the Cost Benefit Analysis of Legalized Marijuana in Colorado Interim Study Committee, presented Bills A, B, C, D, and E recommended by the committee. The summary report prepared for the Legislative Council Committee, copies of the bills, and the committee's charge can be found in Attachment C. Representative Pabon answered questions from the committee.



161014 AttachC.pdf



The bills are as follows:



Bill A - BEST Marijuana Funding. This bill directs the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Board to take into consideration the extent to which retail marijuana excise tax is collected from each county in the state when it prioritizes applications for grant funding under the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program. The bill also expands the definition of capital construction under the BEST program to include technology and creates a new technology grant account from which schools may apply for technology grants. This technology grant account is scheduled to replace the charter school facilities assistance account on July 1, 2018.



Bill B - Grey and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement Grants. This bill creates a grant program to reimburse local governments for costs associated with training, education, law enforcement, and prosecution of offenses for the grey and black marijuana markets. The grant program is to be administered by the Department of Local Affairs and is required to prioritize funding to local governments in rural areas that have limited law enforcement resources to address illegal, unlicensed marijuana cultivation operations.



The bill authorizes moneys from the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund (MCTF) to be used to fund the grant program and its administration. Any moneys not expended in a given fiscal year are retained by the department for use in the next fiscal year.



On or before November 1, 2019, and each November 1 thereafter, the department is required to provide an update about the program in its annual SMART Government Act hearing for the General Assembly.



Bill C - Marijuana Education Materials Resource Book. This bill requires the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), with assistance from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, to create and maintain a resource bank of materials and curricula related to marijuana. The resource bank must be available by July 1, 2017, and be free to school districts, charter schools, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). If requested, CDE must also assist districts, charter schools, and BOCES with developing a marijuana-related curriculum.



The bill authorizes use of the MTCF to cover expenses related to developing and maintaining the resource bank and providing technical assistance.



Bill D - Medical Marijuana Use for Stress Disorders. This bill adds acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of debilitating medical conditions for which a person may obtain a medical marijuana card.



Bill E - Unlawful Marijuana Advertising. This bill creates a level 2 drug misdemeanor for a person not licensed to sell medical or retail marijuana to attempt to sell marijuana or marijuana concentrate by placing an advertisement in print or online.