DENVER – The Colorado House on Tuesday backed a measure that would require marijuana shops to post warnings to pregnant women about possible dangers associated with cannabis.
An earlier attempt at the legislation failed after concerns were raised by women over requiring dispensary workers to inquire as to whether a woman is pregnant. Some women found that proposal insulting. Others said the science on the subject is not clear.
The revised version – which passed the House by a vote of 50-14 – only would require notices of the “potential risks” associated with marijuana use by pregnant and nursing women.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
When the measure was debated Monday in the House, some lawmakers questioned the legality of the bill, suggesting that it violated the spirit of voter-approved Amendment 64, which sought to regulate marijuana like alcohol.
They tried to pass an amendment to the bill that would have required modeling the warnings after those already used for alcohol. But that proposal failed.
“What this does now is the bill violates the spirit of Amendment 64, and that’s in our constitution, and we shouldn’t be doing that,” said Rep. Steve Lebsock, D-Thornton. “With the failure of that amendment, we are going to be treating this industry different than alcohol.”
Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, a sponsor of the bill and overall marijuana legalization supporter, joked, “The spirit of Amendment 64 is Bob Marley,” referring to the late reggae superstar and legalization forefather.
Singer went on to say, “If the spirit of Amendment 64 was truly held up, I think we would probably be here all year discussing what that really means. This is just providing information on the front end.”
While it is true that liquor stores and bars are not required to post signs warning about risks associated with alcohol to pregnant women, federal rules require warnings on product labels.
Still, some in the marijuana industry believe the Legislature is setting up an unequal playing field.
“We want to see an equal application under the law,” said Tyler Henson, president of the Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, which represents marijuana businesses in the state. “It’s kind of hypocritical for legislators to single out the new regulated kids on the block when they should be requiring these signs in liquor stores, clubs and taverns.”