Colorado’s New Edible and Equivalency Regulations

Colorado is on the forefront of the cannabis movement. Everyone is expecting some major changes now that new regulations have been approved. Beginning October 1, 2016, cannabis edibles are required by law to have a stamp (a universal symbol) that clearly indicates it as a THC product. Moreover, edibles are no longer allowed to be made with goods that are remanufactured. That means the ingredients must be made specifically for the company making the edibles/product.

Those aren’t the only changes with the New Edible and Equivalency Regulations. The amount of concentrates and edibles that are equivalent to the bud amount will also change, as per Colorado’s regulations and the state’s Marijuana Enforcement Division.

Early in 2016, recreational marijuana consumers from out of state celebrated the increase in their purchasing power. It went up to a full ounce instead of the previous limit which was a quarter of an ounce. With the new regulations, customers can continue to enjoy the increased quantity of cannabis bud they can buy however their concentrates and edibles are limited.

Rule R 402 (C) 1.5 which became effective starting October 1, 2016 states:

“Sales Transaction to a Colorado Resident. This subparagraph (C)(1.5) is effective beginning January 1, 2016. A Retail Marijuana Store and its employees are prohibited from selling more than one ounce of Retail Marijuana flower or its equivalent in Retail Marijuana Concentrate or Retail Marijuana Product during a sales transaction to a Colorado resident.

One ounce of Retail Marijuana flower shall be equivalent to eight grams of Retail Marijuana Concentrate.

One ounce of Retail Marijuana flower shall be equivalent to 80 ten milligram servings of THC in Retail Marijuana Product.”

What this new regulation means is that recreational customers are now limited to 800mg of edibles or 8g of concentrates. But because you can mix and match your cannabis products, the calculations can get a little complicated. It’s therefore important for dispensaries to prepare and educate their staff regarding such issues.

Other Guidelines to Take Note Of

Aside from requiring a universal symbol aimed at raising public awareness, the words “candies” or “candy” are also barred in marijuana products. Potency and contaminant testing details are also no longer allowed to be indicated in the products.

Each product label should also show this line under the universal symbol: “Contains Marijuana. Keep out of the reach of children.”

The rules for the retail marijuana specific symbol are as follows:

— Each standardized serving (which should have no more than 10 mg of THC) of an edible retail product should be marked, stamped or imprinted individually with the new universal symbol.

   — When it is not possible to mark an edible product (i.e. powders) then these products should be packaged in a child-resistant container in single servings.

— For edibles that have multiple servings, they must be marked, stamped or imprinted individually with the universal symbol.

If you need more information regarding the new rules, please visit the website of the Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division.