Enacted Legislation

Governor Polis signed several marijuana-related measures into law in 2019. Most prominent among them was: House Bill 1230, which establishes licensing requirements and regulations for the establishment of on-site marijuana consumption facilities, House Bill 1234, which regulates the home-delivery of both medical marijuana and adult-use cannabis products, and House Bill 1263, which reduces criminal penalties for certain marijuana-related offenses. The Governor also signed separate legislation, House Bill 1028 and Senate Bill 13, expanding medical cannabis access. (Link)(Link)(Link)(Link)(Link)

H.R.1841 - Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act (2017-2018)

H.Res.943 - RESPECT Resolution (2017-2018)

H.R.975 - Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017 (2017-2018)

H.R.1227 - Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017 (2017-2018)

H.R.1810 - Small Business Tax Equity Act of 2017 (2017-2018)

H.R.1820 - Veterans Equal Access Act (2017-2018)

H.R.1823 - Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act (2017-2018)

H.R.2215 - SAFE Act of 2017 (2017-2018)

H.R.2920 - CARERS Act of 2017 (2017-2018)

H.R.3530 - Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2017 (2017-2018)

H.R.4779 - REFER Act of 2018 (2017-2018)

H.R.4815 - Marijuana Justice Act of 2018 (2017-2018)

H.R.4816 - Stop Civil Asset Forfeiture Funding for Marijuana Suppression Act of 2018 (2017-2018)

H.R.4825 - MEDS Act (2017-2018)

H.R.5520 - VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018 (2017-2018)

H.R.6043 - STATES Act (2017-2018)

Asked if he had any “worries” about the reforms, Polis replied that he thinks “it’s ultimately a matter of personal responsibility. If you want to use marijuana—if you want to drink, if you want to smoke—that’s your prerogative,” he said. “The government shouldn’t be deciding that for you.” 8/2/2023

"The future of cannabis in Colorado is bright. I look forward to working alongside you to make sure that our system remains the very best ecosystem for innovation in the cannabis sector in the entire world." 3/15/2023

“I am thrilled that you are bringing forward a long-term, comprehensive solution that deschedules cannabis while enhancing social equity pathways. I hope that you will first focus your efforts on the two biggest barriers to the success of the cannabis industry: banking and IRS Code Section 280E (280E). Legislation to address these issues has more bipartisan support than ever before and can be passed in the short-term as you continue to work on the details of the CAOA,” Governor Polis said in the letter. 8/27/21

“The cannabis industry in Colorado is thriving -- the state has reached $1 billion in marijuana tax revenue. We must continue to lead the way. We want Colorado to be the best state for investment, innovation and development for this growing economic sector.” 6/12/19 (Link)

Governor Polis has pledged to provide additional financing opportunities to those in Colorado's adult use marijuana industry and has also promised to expand the state's medical cannabis access program. 1/8/19 (Link)

"Colorado has proven that allowing responsible adults to legally purchase marijuana gives money to classrooms, not cartels; creates jobs, not addicts; and boosts our economy, not our prison population. Jared will support our #cannabis industry. " https://twitter.com/PolisForCO/status/1054898105580052486 10/23/18

"It is absurd that Attorney General Sessions has broken Trump's campaign promise and is now waging war on legal marijuana and states' rights. The growing Colorado economy is in jeopardy with the news that the Attorney General will now go after states that have decided to regulate marijuana. The Trump Administration needs to back off, and allow marijuana to be treated like alcohol under the law. At stake is a growing industry that has created 23,000 jobs and generated $200 million in tax revenue in Colorado. I'm calling on President Trump to overrule Attorney General Sessions and protect consumers, our economy, the will of the voters, and states' rights," said Polis. 
https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398515
01/04/18

"Colorado has proven that allowing responsible adults to legally purchase marijuana, gives money to classrooms, not cartels; creates jobs, not addicts; and boosts our economy, not our prison population," Polis said. "Now, more than ever, it is time we end the federal prohibition on marijuana and remove barriers for states' that have chosen to legalize marijuana. This budding industry can't afford to be stifled by the Trump administration and its mixed-messages about marijuana. The cannabis industry, states', and citizens deserve leadership when it comes to marijuana."
"Now, more than ever, it is time we end the federal prohibition on marijuana and remove barriers for states' that have chosen to legalize marijuana. This budding industry can't afford to be stifled by the Trump administration and its mixed-messages about marijuana. The cannabis industry, states', and citizens deserve leadership when it comes to marijuana."
https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398343
03/30/2017

"The President has said time and again that the decision about marijuana needs to be left to the states," Polis said. "Now either the President is flip-flopping or his staff is, once again, speaking out of turn, either way these comments leave doubt and uncertainty for the marijuana industry, stifling job growth in my state. The public has spoken on recreational marijuana, we've seen it work in Colorado, and now is the time to lift the federal prohibition." 
https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398308
2/23/17

Email: Governorpolis@state.co.us

Web: https://www.colorado.gov/governor/

Phone: 303-866-2471