Weed Delivery May Come to Colorado as Early as Sept.

Thursday, February 01, 2018

Weed could be coming to a couch near you if Colorado legislators approve a proposed marijuana delivery pilot program.

Based on Oregon’s cannabis home delivery regulations, House Bill 1092 would establish regulations for delivering both medical and recreational cannabis to consumers. The state could start issuing licenses as soon as Sept. 1, 2018 if the legislation passes.

Co-sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Singer (D-Longmont) and Rep. Jovan Melton (D-Aurora), this isn’t the first time Singer and Melton have tried to pass marijuana delivery. The representatives introduced a similar marijuana delivery proposal in Feb. 2017, but Gov. John Hickenlooper put the kibosh on it.

The governor has never been an enthusiastic marijuana supporter, and he called last year’s attempt to legislate cannabis delivery a “hazard” that could draw the attention of federal authorities.

However, Singer told The Cannabist, “Bottom line is that we haven’t seen an increase in public safety issues where this is rolled out. Additionally, if there’s concern about federal attention, the federal attention would already be on Oregon where this happens.”

Colorado already allows delivery of prescriptions and alcohol, and Singer said that allowing cannabis delivery would “hopefully…decrease the incidence and the likelihood of DUIs, whether they’re related to alcohol or other substances.”

Delivery workers would be trained to verify medical marijuana cards and IDs for adults 21 years or older. Licensed delivery vehicles would be required to include tracking and security measures, and there would be limits on the amount of marijuana transported at any one time. Transported cannabis must be delivered to a physical address. Delivery licenses would be valid for one year, renewed annually.

Because the legislation is a pilot program, state licensing authorities would need to report back to House of Representatives’ Business Affairs and Labor Committee and Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee by March 1, 2020.

The House Finance committee will hold the first hearing on the issue on Feb. 7.