New Colorado laws address homemade hash oil, cyberbullying

People who make marijuana hash oil with hazardous materials at home will face felony charges in Colorado, and online bullies will face harassment penalties with new state laws taking effect Wednesday.

Licensed manufacturers of pot concentrates won’t be affected by the new law. But amateur cooks will be charged if they use materials like a flammable liquid chemical or compressed gas, both of which have been linked to explosions.

More than 30 butane explosions were linked to hash production in 2014.

With cyberbullying, offenders will now be charged with misdemeanor harassment, punishable with fines and up to six months in county jail. Lawmakers named the law after Kiana Arellano, a Douglas County high school cheerleader who tried to hang herself in 2013 after being bullied online.

In all, 19 laws take effect Wednesday.