s_blt_2017a_2017-03-01t13:39:08z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/01/2017

Location: RM 271

01:56 PM -- SB 17-184



The committee came back to order and Senator Gardner introduced Senate Bill 17-184, concerning measures to define lawful consumption of marijuana. The bill authorizes the operation of private marijuana clubs that allow for the on-site consumption of medical or retail marijuana in local jurisdictions that adopt ordinances or resolutions authorizing private marijuana clubs. Private marijuana clubs are membership-based and not open to the general public. All members must be 21 years of age or older, and club owners must be Colorado residents for at least 2 years prior to owning the club. In addition;



all club employees must be Colorado residents;

the sale and service of food and alcohol are prohibited except for light snacks;

a club owner cannot sell marijuana on the premises; and

a club owner cannot permit the sale or exchange of marijuana for remuneration on the premises.



The bill defines the terms "open and public" and "openly and publicly" to prohibit marijuana consumption in areas generally open or accessible to the general public such as highways, transportation facilities, places of amusement, parks, playgrounds, and the common areas of public buildings and facilities. Open and public consumption of marijuana is a violation of the Colorado Constitution and Colorado statutes. It is charged as a Class 2 drug misdemeanor under current law. The bill allows local jurisdictions to more strictly define "open and public" through ordinances or resolution which may also include locations and circumstances that are exception to the prohibition on open and public consumption.



02:03 PM -- Robert Corry, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:05 PM -- Travis Grimes, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:08 PM -- Dillon Allen, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:15 PM -- RJ Ours, American Cancer Society, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:19 PM -- Jason Warf, Southern Colorado Cannabis Council, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:22 PM -- Peter Bialick, GASP Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:26 PM -- Michael Skirkanich, Studio A64, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:30 PM -- Alex Kahn, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:31 PM -- Amber Racek, Studio A64, spoke in opposition to the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.



02:58 PM -- Zachary Murphy, Studio A64, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:59 PM -- JT Jaquess, Studio A64, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:02 PM -- Wanda Stark, Studio A64, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:05 PM -- Bob Doyle, American Lung Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:07 PM -- Ken Heldal, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:10 PM -- Ashley Weber, Colorado NORML, spoke in support of the bill.



03:13 PM -- William Wofford, Studio A64, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:17 PM -- Robert Chase, Colorado Coalition for Patients and Caregivers, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:24 PM -- Courtney Barnes, Vicente Sederberg, spoke in support of the bill.



03:25 PM -- Kristin Karas, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill.



03:26 PM -- Fran Lanzer, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, spoke neutrally on the bill.



03:31 PM -- Christian Sederberg, Vicente Sederberg, spoke in support of the bill.



03:34 PM -- Andrea Fasoli, Denver NORML, spoke in support of the bill.



03:36 PM -- Judd Golden, NORML, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



03:45 PM -- Jordan Person, NORML, spoke in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.



03:47 PM -- Priscilla Solis, NORML, spoke in support of the bill.



03:48 PM -- Kevin Mahmalji, NORML, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



03:56 PM -- Chris Jetter, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill.



04:00 PM -- Ty Link, representing herself, spoke about the bill.



04:01 PM -- JM Fay, representing herself, spoke in opposition to the bill.



04:03 PM -- Emmett Reistroffer, Denver Relief Consulting, spoke in support of the bill.



04:06 PM -- Kobi Waldfogel, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.



04:07 PM -- Jessica LeRoux, representing herself, spoke about the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.



04:16 PM



Senator Gardner discussed questions raised in testimony. Committee discussion ensued.



04:20 PM -- Shawn Coleman, Terrapin Care Station, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



04:24 PM -- Stacy Linn, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.



04:27 PM -- Kevin Bommer, Colorado Municipal League, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed possible amendments. He responded to questions from the committee.



04:48 PM -- Nicholas Phillips, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.



04:51 PM



Senator Gardner made closing comments on the merits of the bill. He provided amendment L.001 (Attachment A) to the committee.



170301 AttachA.pdf

170301 AttachB.pdf