House Committee on Health, Insurance, & Environment (02/03/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, INSURANCE, & ENVIRONMENT

Date:	02/03/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:28 AM to 12:28 PM	Brown	X
		Esgar	X
Place:	HCR 0107	Humphrey	X
		Joshi	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Klingenschmitt	X
	Representative McCann	Landgraf	X
		Lontine	X
This Report was prepared by		Mitsch Bush	X
	Amanda King	Primavera	*
		Ransom	X
		Ryden	X
		Ginal	X
		McCann	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Presentation by CDPHE on Marijuana and the SB 13-283 Report Presentation by DOR on Marijuana and the HB 14-1366 Report		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

10:28 AM -- Presentation by CDPHE on Marijuana and the SB 13-283 Report

Dr. Larry Wolk, Colorado Department Public Health and Environment, presented on the role of the department as it relates to marijuana. He reviewed the information in the handout that was provided to the committee (Attachment A). He provided information about the medical marijuana registry, medical marijuana research, retail marijuana education, marijuana surveillance, and laboratory certification. He referenced the report entitled Monitoring Health Concerns Related to Marijuana in Colorado: 2014 that is required by Senate Bill 13-283.

150203 AttachA.pdf

10:44 AM

Dr. Wolk responded to questions about the potential impact of marijuana on pregnant women and fetuses. He responded to questions about extended plant counts for medical marijuana patients. In response to questions, Dr. Wolk discussed the role of the department in certifying laboratories and potency levels of marijuana. Dr. Wolk responded to questions about the funding for the marijuana research conducted by the department. He responded to questions about whether someone can overdose on marijuana.

10:59 AM

Dr. Wolk responded to questions about physicians and caregivers for medical marijuana patients. He responded to questions about the research reviewed and funded by the department on the medical effectiveness of marijuana. In response to a question, he stated that the department does not have an enforcement role and discussed the challenges to law enforcement regarding medical marijuana.

11:14 AM

Dr. Mike Van Dyke discussed the report required by Senate Bill 13-283 and the Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee. He discussed a recent increase in hospitalizations that are possibly due to marijuana use. Dr. Van Dyke responded to questions about non-THC cannabinoids.

11:21 AM

Dr. Wolk discussed the department's recommendations to the House Bill 14-1366 Marijuana Edibles Work Group. Dr. Van Dyke responded to questions about the research contained in the SB 13-283 report. He stated that the Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee will continue to meet quarterly during 2015.

11:24 AM -- Presentation by DOR on Marijuana and the HB 14-1366 Report

Barbara Brohl, Executive Director of the Department of Revenue, reviewed the handout (Attachment B) that was provided to the committee. She provided an overview of the constitutional amendments concerning marijuana. Ms. Brohl highlighted the role of the department as the state licensing authority and discussed the marijuana enforcement division.

150203 AttachB.pdf

11:33 AM

Ron Kammerzell, Department of Revenue, discussed the number of medical and retail marijuana licenses. He referenced the Cole Memorandum issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. He reviewed the department's regulations that were established to help protect minors from marijuana. Mr. Kammerzell discussed the department's efforts to limit criminal activity related to marijuana. Mr. Kammerzell responded to questions about ownership interest requirements for dispensaries. He discussed the department's efforts to limit the diversion of marijuana to bordering states.

11:43 AM

Lewis Koski, Department of Revenue, discussed the department's inventory tracking system for marijuana and responded to questions about the system. He discussed the retail testing program and the testing facilities for marijuana. Mr. Koski discussed the department's rule-making process and guiding principals.

11:53 AM

Ms. Brohl responded to questions about the number of plants allowed for a patient or caregiver. Mr. Kammerzell and Ms. Brohl responded to questions about the department's rule-making authority concerning marijuana.

11:59 AM

Ms. Brohl discussed the House Bill 14-1366 Marijuana Edibles Work Group Report (Attachment C) and the handout on the report (Attachment D). She outlined the House Bill 14-1366 Stakeholder Working Group, the report structure, and the report's table of contents. She highlighted Appendix Q of the report that provides a summary of sub-recommendations by category. She reviewed the four strategic options for the legislature to consider concerning edible marijuana products. Ms. Brohl discussed for the need for clarification of the legislative intent concerning the regulation of edible retail marijuana products and the meaning of "practicable" as the term is used in House Bill 14-1366.

150203 AttachC.pdf

150203 AttachD.pdf

12:12 PM

The committee discussed the possible need for additional legislation to address edible marijuana products. Ms. Brohl responded to questions about House Bill 14-1366. Mr. Kammerzell responded to questions about edible marijuana retail products that would be difficult to label. The committee continued to dialogue with Ms. Brohl about labeling edible marijuana products and the four strategic options laid out in the report.

12:28 PM

The committee adjourned.