Ganja on the go? Marijuana delivery in Colorado passes first hurdle
Marijuana delivery came a step closer to reality Tuesday when a Colorado House committee signed off on amended legislation that has its best chance in years of making it to the finish line.
House Bill 1234 would initially allow dispensaries to dispatch delivery drivers to customers with medical marijuana cards, starting Jan. 1. Recreational shops could offer delivery beginning in 2021, as could third-party delivery services, in the same vein as Postmates and other food-delivery services — though with some pretty hefty security precautions.
The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee passed the bill 6-3 after adopting a revised version presented by Rep. Jonathan Singer, a Longmont Democrat. He said the new version incorporated input from both supporters and opponents.
Some of the latter, including the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, remain opposed, but the bill now would direct a $1 delivery surcharge to local law enforcement. Another change allows delivery to start only in cities or counties that opt in, a restriction that’s likely to limit availability.
“We’re going to see if there are issues related to medical (in the first year) — and medical is the most important component of this,” Singer said, noting that Gov. Jared Polis’ office was among those requesting a phased-in approach. “… People struggling with seizures, struggling with cancer, can’t get out the door. This gets it delivered.”
Last year, a committee in the Republican-majority Senate killed compromise legislation that would have allowed for a two-year marijuana delivery pilot program.
But with Democrats in control of both legislative chambers this session, the new bipartisan bill has a better chance of becoming law. It heads to the House Finance Committee next.
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