Contentious Cannabis Bill Fails To Advance In Committe

A controversial bill focused on the increasing potency of Colorado’s cannabis products was pulled by its sponsors in committee Tuesday. The proposal received immediate pushback due to the proposed age restrictions and regulations on certain edible products.

Per CPR

A bipartisan bill focused on the increasing potency of Colorado’s cannabis products gets its first committee hearing on Tuesday. The bill has raised numerous controversies already, leading sponsors to promise multiple changes at its first hearing. 

Current law limits edible cannabis products to 10 milligrams of THC per serving. The proposal would add the same restriction to cannabis that’s smoked or vaped. And it would create a new labeling system to help consumers understand the potency of what they’re buying. 

Initially — and most controversially — SB25-076 also looked to cap the potency level and amount of cannabis someone 25 or younger could buy. Sponsors have said that the provision, which gained the most pushback online and from stakeholders, will be removed. 

Senators Judy Amabile, a Democrat, and Byron Pelton, a Republican, are the main sponsors, along with Democratic state Rep. Kyle Brown. 

“There’s been a big reaction to the bill, and I just want to say we’ve been responsive to that and we have made some major adjustments to the policy and put forward a much smaller policy,” Amabile told CPR News. “And the negative attacks have been, I think, misguided.” 

Pelton did not respond to CPR News’ request for comment. 

The bill has caught pushback in online spaces like Reddit, where users are calling it too restrictive and likening the proposed age restriction to Prohibition.