Written By: Mia Jane
Being on the forefront of the cannabis movement here in Colorado is an exhilarating and sometimes exhausting place to be. Surrounded by the ever-changing landscape of products, people, strains, and smoking trends, the laws around compliance keep us on our toes as well. And with the new regulations around the corner, everyone in the industry is looking at some big changes.
As of October 1, 2016, all edibles require a stamp that clearly marks it as a THC product. There is a new universal symbol being used on both the infused products and packaging as well to differentiate these from other food items. To further the distinction, edibles can also no longer have been made with any “remanufactured goods.” Commercially produced ingredients must be made specifically for that MIP company (with a written agreement) or the end result must be entirely unrecognizable from the initial ingredients.
On a less production-related side of things, the equivalency rates have changed as well. Basically, what amount of concentrates and edibles equals how much bud will shift in the eyes of the Marijuana Enforcement Division and Colorado state regulations.
Earlier this year, out-of-state recreational customers celebrated increased purchasing power when their limit was raised from a quarter of an ounce to being able to purchase a full ounce of bud back in July, just like in-state customers. And on October 1, 2016, all customers will still be able to buy an ounce of flower, but their edibles and concentrates will be a little bit more limited.
Per industry bulletin 15-12, Rule R 402 (C) 1.5 becomes effective October 1, 2016. This rule states:
“Sales Transaction to a Colorado Resident. This subparagraph (C)(1.5) is effective beginning January 1, 2016. A Retail Marijuana Store and its employees are prohibited from selling more than one ounce of Retail Marijuana flower or its equivalent in Retail Marijuana Concentrate or Retail Marijuana Product during a sales transaction to a Colorado resident.
- One ounce of Retail Marijuana flower shall be equivalent to eight grams of Retail Marijuana Concentrate.
- One ounce of Retail Marijuana flower shall be equivalent to 80 ten milligram servings of THC in Retail Marijuana Product.”
Basically, instead of higher limits on these alternative forms of cannabis as we’ve seen in the past, recreational customers will be limited to 8 grams of concentrates, OR 800 mg of edibles. Of course, people can mix and match products, as well as include flower if they’re still under the legal limit. Once people start getting an assortment of products though, the calculations can get confusing fast. Luckily, products like helpful but non-psychoactive topicals do not play into this complicated equation, and currently do not play into the ounce limit. Hopefully, by now most dispensaries have prepared their staff accordingly for the impending math problems.
Mia Jane is an enthusiastic, results-oriented social media influencer and marketing professional in the cannabis industry who aims to connect with like-minded brands, products, and businesses to further the normalization of cannabis through education, brand awareness, and a wellness lifestyle. She contributes content regularly for the Dope magazine Colorado office and also works with Colorado Cannabis Cannabis Tours.
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