Access to marijuana in Colorado could grow significantly in 2019

DENVER – 2019 could be the most important year for several years for Colorado marijuana advocates.

In just a few months, current marijuana regulations will lapse – which means legislators must have a thorough discussion of how to regulate the growing sector.

"The legislature will re-examine everything to see what worked and what did not work," said Peter Marcus, spokesman for Terrapin Care Station, a Colorado cannabis company.

Marcus says that there is a reason for the industry to be full of hope. The elected governor, Jared Polis, is seen as extremely supportive of the industry. Democrats control both Houses of the General Assembly.

"The elected governor, Jared Polis, is very friendly and perhaps one of the friendliest elected representatives we have ever had in the world of cannabis," added Marcus.

So, how could access possibly change?

On the one hand, people with autism may soon be eligible to receive marijuana for medical purposes.

The General Assembly adopted a measure to this effect in 2018, but Governor John Hickenlooper vetoed it.

FOX31 asked Polis, the elected governor, to sign it during the campaign.

"I think we should always be wrong about patient access," Polis told FOX31 political reporter Joe St. George.

What about marijuana delivery? Polis is also on board.

"If you consider one of the dangers of marijuana regulated by law, this could lead to more people driving under the influence, so yes, I would consider delivery as a way to prevent people driving under the influence, "said Polis during an interview.

Another subject that should be revisited according to Marcus – the tasting rooms.

"We just want one thing to be accessible to consumers," Marcus said.

Of course, democratic control does not necessarily mean that all these measures will enter the law. Last year, Democratic State Senator Rhonda Fields helped indict the delivery of marijuana.

Alert me