Cannabis advocates in Colorado cheered the Biden Administration’s reported move to reclassify marijuana and said the decision likely would reduce businesses’ tax burden significantly. Industry leaders cautioned that such a move — if finalized — would not resolve some major challenges facing the industry, such as limited access to banking. But they pointed to the symbolic importance of preparations by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to downgrade the substance’s drug classification. A man pours cannabis into rolling papers as he prepares to roll a joint the Mile High 420 Festival in Civ ..read more

Coloradans have until 4:20 p.m. on Saturday to bid for the rights to cannabis-themed license plates in a state auction. The annual auction features 10 phrases, including 420, COHEMP, HASHISH, HILIFE, REEFER, among others. Proceeds from the auction will go toward grants and state programs to support people with disabilities. Since the auction launched in 2021, the state has raised more than $96,000, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Bidders can win the right to own the use of the marijuana phrases on their state license plates or they can buy a novelty plate and keep the r ..read more

Rapper Afroman has performed many shows in Colorado and each time he visits, the people here always seem to make him uncomfortable with how nice they are. “One time I was looking for an address and three strangers came from out of nowhere trying to help me find it. I didn’t know if someone was trying to steal my wallet,” he said with a laugh. “I never been uncomfortable with people being nice ’til I got to Colorado. It was giving me the goosebumps.” Still, Afroman keeps coming back because of the vibe – “I call it California in the deep freezer,” he said, in large part because of the abundance ..read more

Denver is well known for its green space, but every April it gets even greener with the arrival of 4/20. The signature local event is, of course, the Mile High 420 Fest, which will bring Gucci Mane, Afroman, Big Boss Vette and a smattering of other musicians to Civic Center park. Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison will also be ablaze with tunes from Wiz Khalifa and Flatbush Zombies. But 4/20 is as much about food as it is about cannabis and music. That’s why restaurants around the Front Range offer specials that often revolve around mind-bending flavor combinations. We’ve collected some of the ..read more

A new THC-infused seltzer is now available in Colorado and, in a departure from cannabis norms, locals don’t need to go to a dispensary to purchase it. That’s because Cann seltzers are made with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from hemp rather than from marijuana. In Colorado, marijuana can only be sold by heavily regulated medical and recreational dispensaries. But since hemp isn’t a federally controlled substance, products derived from it can be sold anywhere. In January, Cann launched one of its product lines, called Lo Boys, in 30 Colorado stores and bars, said D ..read more

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is well on its way to becoming a legitimate industry in Colorado. But for all the regulatory advancements, there are few ways hopeful professionals in the space can get a formal education about psychedelic substances and their use. Naropa University in Boulder hopes to change that by offering a new minor in psychedelic studies as part of its Bachelor of the Arts degree program. Joe Harrison, executive director of Naropa’s Center for Psychedelic Studies, said the curriculum has yet to be solidified, but proposed classes include an introductory course, decolonial psy ..read more

The Mile High 420 Fest returns to light up downtown Denver this year with a mix of legendary rap stars, viral sensations, and the latest names in hip-hop. Related Articles Music | Colorado edibles maker partners with Swiss company to bring cannabis gummies to Europe Music | Sponsored: Best Weed Gummies of 2024 for Pain Relief, Energy, Sweet Dreams & Euphoria Music | Marketing magic: How influencers are helping sell psychedelics to social media masses Music | Sponsored: Best Weed Pens of 2024 – Shop THC Vape Pens for On-the-Go Relaxation Music | Hemp-derived THC seltzers coming to Col ..read more

UPDATED on March 14 at 10:20 a.m. to include comment from Denver Police Department.  First responders in Denver will soon undergo training designed specifically to bolster psychedelic crisis response and intervention. The training, developed by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies (MAPS), aims to “enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of first responders to quickly recognize and effectively respond to emotional and behavioral crisis incidents involving psilocybin and other psychedelics,” according to an announcement this week. Local law enforcement — including ..read more

Colorado-born cannabis edibles will soon reach international consumers. Last week, Boulder’s Wana Brands announced a partnership with Swiss company Alpen Group, which will manufacture THC gummies using Wana’s formulations and sell them in Switzerland. The Wana Classic gummies will be available there in three flavors by the end of the year, according to CEO Nancy Whiteman. Marijuana is not widely available in Switzerland; however, it is legal in limited capacities. The Wana Brands team recently visited Alpen Group in Switzerland to kick off their partnership. CEO Nancy Whiteman said Wana will r ..read more

Colorado’s legal psychedelic therapy industry is beginning to take shape as regulators recently unveiled the first rules regarding facilitator education, training and licensure. In late February, the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) released a draft of these rules, which was informed by recommendations from the 15-member Natural Medicine Advisory Board, The board spent the better part of a year researching and discussing what they think are best practices for facilitators — the people who guide or advise people using psychedelics in a therapeutic context. The rules outline several ..read more