What the DEA reclassifing marijuana means for Colorado cannabis

Cannabis advocates in Colorado cheered the Biden Administration’s reported move to reclassify marijuana and said the decision likely would reduce businesses’ tax burden significantly. Industry leaders cautioned that such a move — if finalized — would not resolve some major challenges facing the industry, such as limited access to banking. But they pointed to the … Read more

Colorado lawmakers kill supervised drug-use sites bill in Senate

Colorado lawmakers have again rejected a bill that would have allowed supervised drug-use sites to open in willing cities — the third time in a year legislators have killed the proposal. On Thursday night, two Democratic senators joined with the Senate Health and Human Service Committee’s three Republicans in voting to kill House Bill 1028, … Read more

Colorado House passes supervised drug use bill but obstacles remain

A bill to allow supervised drug-use sites to open in willing Colorado cities cleared the state House for the second time in two years on Friday, but it faces a significant uphill battle in the face of opposition in the Senate and from Gov. Jared Polis. House Bill 1028 is Rep. Elisabeth Epps’ second attempt to … Read more

Denver’s Roads to Recovery initiative prioritizes treatment over jail

For Aly Garrett, the safe haven provided by Tribe Recovery Homes is a source of inspiration and, she hopes, salvation. The 34-year-old is on probation for charges related to fentanyl use. Her addiction started four years ago while she was in an abusive relationship and dealing with trauma that stemmed from her mother’s use of … Read more

Read Colorado’s first rules for psychedelic, shrooms therapy

Colorado’s legal psychedelic therapy industry is beginning to take shape as regulators recently unveiled the first rules regarding facilitator education, training and licensure. In late February, the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) released a draft of these rules, which was informed by recommendations from the 15-member Natural Medicine Advisory Board, The board spent the better part … Read more

Colorado legislature begins session with priority bills unveiled

From the moment the Colorado General Assembly’s leaders gaveled their chambers into session Wednesday, they acknowledged the undercurrent of acrimony that’s seeped ever more deeply into state politics. The Capitol’s two top Democrats touted past achievements and pledged to do more this year, but they also made repeated references to social media eroding civility. They … Read more

10 years of notable events

It’s been 10 years since Colorado launched the first legal recreational marijuana market in the world and became a pioneer in drug reform. But when it came to the nascent industry, the first sales on Jan. 1, 2014, were more a starting block than a finish line. In the decade since legalization, Colorado has refined … Read more

Colorado legal marijuana sales spurred new industry, inspired reform

The world’s first legal sale of recreational marijuana happened in Denver on Jan. 1, 2014. In fact, it happened twice. Mason Tvert was managing the onslaught of media that descended on the Mile High City to witness the historic moment, set in motion by the successful legalization campaign he’d led. So many camera crews and … Read more

Colorado poll finds housing affordability, crime are top concerns

A majority of Colorado voters say home ownership is only going to become less attainable, voicing broad concerns about the cost of living and the state’s broader affordability, according to results from a bipartisan poll released Tuesday. The poll, conducted for the Colorado Polling Institute Nov. 26-27 by a team of pollsters, also found a … Read more

Colorado blames Biden, drugmakers for delaying Canadian imports

By Phil Galewitz, KFF Health News Colorado officials say their plan to import cheaper medicines from Canada has been stymied by opposition from drugmakers and inaction by the Biden administration, according to a state report obtained by KFF Health News. The Dec. 1 report, prepared for the state legislature by Colorado’s Department of Health Care … Read more