Colorado’s Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee voted 6-1 against a measure to create social-use cannabis licenses, according to a Cannabist report. The measure was opposed by state cannabis regulators and by members of the law enforcement and medical communities.
Colorado State Patrol Major Steve Garcia argued that the measure would increase the likelihood of drugged driving and that cannabis stored at the social clubs for its customers would no longer be subject to tracking which could push it into the informal market.
According to the report, the measure was “substantially changed” from the original draft. The amended version stripped licenses for medical cannabis operators and references that would have exempted the clubs from the state Clean Indoor Air Act. It would have allowed patrons to buy a maximum amount and store it on-site, and allow the clubs to sell light snacks.
Another bill, which would allow cannabis “tasting rooms” at licensed businesses, will be moved to the House Appropriations Committee on Friday. That measure would not allow on-site smoking.
Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, does not support social use. Last year he threatened to veto a measure approved by the Senate but that bill did not make it to the House floor.