The Colorado Experience
Legalizing Medical Marijuana
Colorado is the nation’s marijuana legalization laboratory. In 2000 Coloradans voted to legalize medical marijuana - allowing caregivers to provide cannabis to a maximum of five patients. That limiting regulation was overturned in 2009, effectively green lighting the dispensary model and initiating Colorado's "Green Rush." In the very next legislative session in 2010, the Colorado Legislature approved the Colorado Medical Marijuana Code, the most encompassing cannabis regulations worldwide which were then enacted in 2011.
First to Decriminalize Recreational Cannabis
Building on this positive experience, ours was the nation’s first state to decriminalize “recreational” marijuana production and use in 2012.
Because marijuana remains listed as a Schedule 1 illegal drug by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there were, at that time, no health and safety regulations in existence for Colorado to follow. Therefore, Colorado had to, in essence, create their own state FDA agency related to marijuana. The State of Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Department (MED) was enabled and tasked with developing policies, interpretive codes and implementing regulations covering facility licensing and regulating marijuana production, manufacturing, distribution, sales and safety.
Colorado Regulations
The Colorado MED has regularly updated and expanded these regulations and protocols since that time. As a result, Colorado has established the most rigorous and comprehensive marijuana oversight regulations in the nation and perhaps the world. States that have subsequently legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana production regularly draw from Colorado’s laws, policies, regulations and codes to develop their own marijuana governance.
Our Long History in the Industry
We have been deeply involved in the Colorado cannabis experience since the earliest stages of canna-commercialization. As the State regulatory environment, public perceptions, and the product marketplace have evolved over the last two decades, so has our expertise.
We are experienced in applying and meeting rigorous regulations to insure the effective compliance of your operation.
We also know market trends and can assist you to produce high value products in greatest demand.