Colorado legislators OK medical cannabis as opioid alternative
- KahliBuds.com
- May 2, 2019
- 2 min read
Colorado legislators OK medical cannabis as opioid alternative
Published 1 min ago | By Jeff Smith
Colorado lawmakers approved a measure that is likely to boost medical marijuana sales in the state by allowing physicians to prescribe MMJ as an alternative to opioids.
At the same time, the state Senate gave final passage to the so-called sunset bill that extends Colorado’s regulated marijuana programs. The bill includes provisions to streamline licensing and allows retail cannabis stores to sell industrial hemp consumables.
Both measures started and were passed in the Senate, amended in the House, and repassed in the Senate.
They now go to Gov. Jared Polis, a pro-marijuana Democrat, for his signature.
Here are some business implications from the measures:
SB19-013: Will permit physicians to prescribe medical marijuana as an alternative to opioids. This could buoy a flagging MMJ market. Colorado MMJ sales have declined as recreational cannabis sales increased. In 2017, 3.7 million opioid prescriptions were issued in the state, according to Colorado’s drug-monitoring program. State health officials reported 1,635 prescription opioid-related overdose deaths in Colorado between 2013 and 2017.
SB19-224: Extends the regulated marijuana industry in Colorado and puts in place regulations designed to streamline the licensing process. For example, the bill permits a licensee that has submitted a timely renewal application to operate until the application is acted upon. In addition to allowing MJ retail stores to sell industrial hemp consumables, the bill will require industrial hemp used in medical marijuana-infused products or retail cannabis products to receive testing prior to processing.
Categories: Cannabis Industry & Marijuana Business Briefs, Colorado Medical Cannabis Business & Marijuana Legal News, Marijuana Legalization and Regulatory News for Cannabis Businesses, United States Cannabis Industry & Marijuana Business News
May 2, 2019 at 02:09PM Jeff Smith 420GrowLife, May 2, 2019 at 05:39PM
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