s_jud_2016a_2016-02-03t13:32:50z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/03/2016

01:35 PM -- SB16-041



Senator Baumgardner, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-041, concerning data collected by the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Public Safety concerning the study of marijuana implementation. Senator Baumgardner explained his reasons for bringing the bill.



01:37 PM -- Mr. Robert Chase, representing the Colorado Coalition of Patients and Caregivers, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Chase discussed the constitutionality of certain Colorado laws and explained his concerns regarding racial disparities of enforcement of certain laws.



01:42 PM -- Mr. Timothy Tipton, representing Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Tipton expressed agreement with Mr. Chase's testimony and stated that there was no reason to discontinue the data collection programs.



01:45 PM -- Mr. Shawn Coleman, representing the Drug Policy Alliance, provided neutral testimony on the bill. Mr. Coleman provided background on marijuana-related issues, and stated reasons for continuing to collect data relating to law enforcement.



01:48 PM -- Mr. Art Way, representing the Drug Policy Alliance, provided neutral testimony on the bill. Mr. Way stated that he initially opposed the bill, but now will monitor the bill because of certain data that will continue to be collected. He explained concerns he has with data collection related to "marijuana-initiated contacts" and the recent increase in drug-related felony charges.



01:52 PM -- Ms. Jana Locke and Ms. Kim English, representing the Department of Public Safety, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Locke explained the reasons for the bill and data that is collected under existing and continuing law. She said that the bill eliminates data that is difficult to collect. Ms. English explained a forthcoming report from the Division of Criminal Justice, including data that is included in that report as required by 2013 legislation. She also stated that the term "marijuana-initiated contacts" is vague. The committee and the witnesses discussed the definition of "contact" by law enforcement,"marijuana-initiated contacts," and data collected by law enforcement.



02:02 PM -- Ms. Sarah Clark, representing Smart Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Clark explained the importance of collecting data and provided the committee with information on data that is collected under existing law that is not changed by the bill.



Senator Baumgardner provided closing remarks on the bill and asked for the committee's support. Committee members explained their positions on the bill. Senator Baumgardner and the committee discussed the bill.

02:10 PM



The committee recessed.