In news that will make many worry that Colorado is on a slippery slope back into nannying regulation, the state has declared that no edibles can contain more than 100mg of THC. The regulations come following two deaths with links to edibles since legalization. The first was that of Levi Thamba Pongi, a student who was visiting Colorado from Wyoming for spring break.
The 19-year-old died after jumping from his hotel balcony on March 11th after consuming a whole pot cookie. The cookie contained 65mg of THC and was supposed to be eaten in six portions. The Denver coroner’s office controversially stated that marijuana intoxication was a contributor to his death, despite the THC levels in his blood being just over the DUI limit. Then, on April 14th a Denver man, Richard Kirk, shot his wife after eating pot-infused candy and taking prescription medication.
Kirk was allegedly “hallucinating and rambling”, according to USA Today. His wife Kristine called 911 out of fear for her family’s safety, 12 minutes into the call Richard shot and killed her.
The law only applies to recreational users, medicinal users will still be able to buy edibles which contain more than 100mg of THC. The author cannot help but wonder, does this not somewhat make the argument meaningless? If the design of the law is brought about for reasons of safety, why does this not apply to medicinal users? Are the house and senate saying that medicinal users’ lives are worth less? More likely, it’s a badly thought out and pointless piece of legislation by people who do not understand the drug they are dealing with.
One wonders just how many deaths were caused or contributed to by alcohol consumption since the beginning of the year.
Two other bills have worked their way through the state Senate this month. One limiting the amount of hash you can buy from a licensed store, another prohibiting cannabis edibles from imitating trademarked products. Both of these passed on May 6th and have been sent to the governor to sign.
The bill limiting the amount of hash and other concentrates that can be bought seeks to find out how much hash is equal to one ounce of weed. This will then be set as the amount of hash that you are allowed to buy. The amount of hash that out of state customers can buy will be set at a quarter of that, the same restriction that’s put on marijuana.
Florida Legalizes Low-THC Medicinal Pot
Florida took it’s first tentative steps towards legalization on the 2nd of May, when the Senate passed SB-1030. This bill legalizes the use of a low-THC strain of marijuana known as Charlotte’s Web for sufferers of severe conditions including epilepsy, cancer, and Lou Gehrig’s disease. The bill has since been signed into law, making Florida the 22nd state to legalize medicinal marijuana.
The special strain of cannabis contains very low levels of THC (around 0.8%) and high levels of Cannabidiol, or CBD (10%). CBD is the active chemical in marijuana that has been proven to be helpful for those suffering from seizures. The cannabis will be grown in 5 designated nurseries, one in each corner of the state and one in the centre.
The move could apparently not have come soon enough for Florida voters, of whom 88% supported legalizing medicinal marijuana, a poll conducted by Quinnipiac University found. A more sweeping vote on legalizing medicinal marijuana will come in November, which would allow it’s use for anyone suffering from a debilitating condition. The results of this poll, if accurate, must surely give such sufferers hope.
