The Colorado House of Representatives approved a bill allowing adults to purchase marijuana online. Supporters say this will benefit businesses who have relied heavily on cash transactions, which put them at risk of criminal activity.
On Saturday, the legislation of Reps. William Lindstedt(D), Said Sharbini(D) and Robert Rodriguez(D) was passed by the House with a vote of 40-23.
The bill would remove language that expressly prohibits the sale of cannabis on the Internet, and add regulations to allow online commerce.
Adults over 21 would still have to pick up marijuana products at the retailer but could browse online and purchase cannabis electronically.
The bill states that retailers will be required to verify that the customer’s name and age are correct at the time of online purchase. This information must match the identification they provide when picking up the product.
Customers would also be required to acknowledge receipt of any educational or warning materials posted on the licensed premises by the retailer.
The bill sponsors claimed that allowing electronic transactions would also benefit public safety at a time where cannabis dispensaries are still targets of robberies because they rely on cash.
Sharbini stated during Friday’s second reading debate that the goal was to eliminate barriers to transactions and help businesses ensure they could accept these funds so they weren’t all cash-based businesses.
At this stage, banks are opening to work with them. “Regulations are being introduced across the nation, and we must be competitive,” he added. “This is an important step towards facilitating better business.”
Lindstedt agreed, saying that the bill would “keep cash out of their businesses and let them do these online transactions.” He added that “there is a public security benefit and efficiency for them to allow this.”
The measure will also remove language in the statute which states that marijuana retailers cannot deliver cannabis products to adult customers. However, delivery services have been legalized previously under a measure signed by Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed the bill in 2019. This makes this statutory prohibition redundant.
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Colorado legislators have undertaken numerous reforms since becoming the first state to legalize marijuana for adult use.
As the cannabis industry continues to grow, the state has taken measures to promote the energy efficiency of the sector. also ensure that social equity is prioritized.
The Governor recently touted – the first marijuana vending machines in the state. This machine can package, label, and dispense products of cannabis to adults within 50 seconds.
Polis issued an executive order last year to protect workers from being denied professional licenses if they use marijuana according to state law. This move prevents the state from providing assistance to any investigations conducted outside of Colorado that may result in penalties for employment.
Colorado officials have repeatedly urged the federal government to enact reform. The governor contacted U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, to inquire about the timetable for a review of federal marijuana scheduling by the HHS that was directed by President Joe Biden last year.
Last year, voters approved a ballot measure that legalized certain entheogenic drugs and allowed psilocybin treatment.
Colorado senators have recently approved 15 nominees for the psilocybin advisor board, as required by the enacted initiative.
Washington Lawmakers send bill to create psilocybin therapy pilot program to Governor’s desk
The article Colorado House approves bill to allow online marijuana sales to reduce cash at dispensaries first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
