Study: Colorado Marijuana Market Larger Than Expected

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Good news for Colorado cannabis businesses: Demand for marijuana in the state is much higher than previously estimated, according to a new report.

The Market Demand Study – released by Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division – estimates that adults who live in the state will consume 121.4 metric tons of cannabis in 2014,  while visitors 21 and over will use 8.9 tons of marijuana.

The overall consumption estimate of 130 metric tons is 31% larger than a recent Department of Revenue assessment and 111% larger than a study conducted by the Colorado Center for Law and Policy.

The report is based on a survey of cannabis consumers during the first three months of 2014. It covers total consumption of cannabis obtained by any means, including medical marijuana dispensaries, recreational stores, caregivers, home grows, unlicensed vendors and the black market.

Some other highlights of the study:

- Overall consumption in 2014 could range from a low of 104.2 metric tons to 157.9 metric tons.

- 485,000 residents – or 9% of Colorado’s population – consume cannabis at least once a month. Another 201,000 adult residents – or nearly 4% of the population – used marijuana at least once during the last year.

- The top 21.8% of the state’s marijuana users generate 66.9% of demand. By contrast, consumers that use cannabis less than once a month – which is nearly a third of total users – account for just 0.3% of total demand.

- Tourists account for 44% of recreational sales in Denver and a whopping 90% of sales in mountain towns.

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Study: Oral THC Safely and Effectively Addresses Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms

by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

June 18, 2014

The administration of oral THC mitigates symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), according to clinical trial data published online ahead of print in the journal Clinical Drug Investigation.

Investigators at the Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem assessed the safety and efficacy of oral THC as an adjunct treatment in ten subjects with chronic PTSD.

Researchers reported, “The intervention caused a statistically significant improvement in global symptom severity, sleep quality, frequency of nightmares, and PTSD hyperarousal symptoms.”

They concluded, “Orally absorbable delta-9-THC was safe and well tolerated by patients with chronic PTSD.”

Separate clinical trial data has previously reported that the administration of nabilone, a synthetic endocannabinoid agonist, can reduce the severity and frequency of nightmares in patients with PTSD.

In 2013, researchers at the New York University School of Medicine published findings indicating that PTSD subjects experience a decrease in their natural production of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter. They hypothesized that an increase in the body’s production of cannabinoids would likely restore subjects’ natural brain chemistry and psychological balance. “[Our] findings substantiate, at least in part, emerging evidence that … plant-derived cannabinoids such as marijuana may possess some benefits in individuals with PTSD by helping relieve haunting nightmares and other symptoms of PTSD,” they concluded.

- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/#sthash.OLrGiDa0.dpuf

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The first time a Colorado health agency has held kitchens producing pot-infused brownies, cookies and tinctures to the same food-safety standards as restaurants.

Food Regulators Inspect Edibles Companies, Force Product Recalls.

Health inspectors in Denver are holding edibles companies to the same safety standards as restaurants and other food manufacturers.

The Denver Department of Environmental Health recently began sending food inspectors on surprise visits to edibles manufacturers to check for proper refrigeration, preparation techniques and sanitary standards. It’s a practice that is common within the food industry, which the department also oversees, but not the cannabis sector.

According to The Denver Post, the visits so far have produced 58 violations and three product recalls and led to the destruction of numerous edibles products.

Read more: Food inspections flag health threats in edible marijuana products - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_25743741/food-inspections-flag-health-threats-edible-marijuana-products#ixzz31crB5qHH

TV ad by a United States congressman focusing solely on the need for marijuana reform and offering strong words of support for the cannabis industry...

"Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat representing Oregon, is running local television ads urging the federal government to butt out and let states decide whether to legalize marijuana and related businesses.

Blumenauer has long been a public supporter of the cannabis movement, backing numerous measures in recent years that would help the marijuana industry. This takes that a step further. In fact, having a sitting federal lawmaker run such a marijuana-specific ad as part of a campaign is unprecedented – and it could open the door for other officials to promote pro-marijuana views as well.

“To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time that a member of Congress has used campaign funds specifically to produce an ad that is solely related to their support for marijuana policy reform,” said Morgan Fox, communications manager for the Marijuana Policy Project. “This is certainly indicative of a shift occurring among lawmakers who see the growing public support for making marijuana legal and realize that they don’t have to be afraid to tackle this subject anymore."”

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"Labels on edible pot like the difficulty guidelines on ski slopes"

"A task force gathered to brainstorm ways to educate consumers, including a standard warning system on popular edibles, which is the industry term for marijuana that has been concentrated and infused into food or drink.

One idea was to fashion labels on edible pot like the difficulty guidelines on ski slopes. Weak marijuana products would have green dots, grading up to black diamonds for the most potent edibles.

"We should have a marking so that when people come in, they know what they're getting," said Chris Halsor of the Colorado District Attorneys' Council."

more of the story: Task force mulls best options for edible marijuana

Retired Supreme Court Justice Stevens: Asked Should Feds Legalize Marijuana

Retired Justice John Paul Stevens made some news in an interview with NPR's Scott Simon on Thursday 4/24/14. Scott asked him if the federal government should legalize marijuana.

"Yes," Stevens replied. "I really think that that's another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there's a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug."

Click here for the rest of the story.

Statement from Michael Elliott, Executive Director of the Marijuana Industry Group

Statement from Michael Elliott, Executive Director of the Marijuana Industry Group, in response to Governor Chris Christie's statements about Colorado's marijuana program.  

"Colorado now has about 500 pages of state marijuana law and regulation. Our program includes:

• State and local licensing;
• Background checks;
• Financial disclosures;
• Security requirements such as mandatory video surveillance, alarm systems, and limited access areas;
• Consumer safety requirements such as child-resistant packaging, detailed labeling with warnings, and testing for potency and harmful contaminants like mold and mildew;
• Seed-to-sale tracking with mandatory RFID tags; and      
• A local option for cities and counties to prohibit licensed marijuana businesses. 

The United States has fought the war on marijuana for 45 years, and spent over a trillion dollars.  And even though the United States now has the highest incarceration rate in the world, marijuana is still universally available, particularly in our schools. 

While the vast majority of Americans agree that the war on marijuana has been a failure, credible alternatives have been lacking.  Colorado is now showing the rest of the country an alternative that promotes freedom, revenue, and safety.   

Coloradans are choosing control over chaos.  We are choosing a model that includes accountability, transparency, security, taxes, jobs, and safety.  We reject the model of alcohol prohibition, where criminals like Al Capone dominate the market through violence, corruption, and fear. 

Indeed, Coloradans overwhelmingly support this program. We are proud of the robust regulatory structure Colorado has developed, and as representatives of this new industry, we pledge to continue working to enhance safety, transparency, and accountability."