Lawmaker proposes licensing to stop illegal pot sales at marijuana clubs

A Colorado lawmaker is proposing a bill to have more regulation of marijuana clubs.

State Rep. Kit Roupe (R) introduced a bill at a stakeholder meeting that would clearly state that marijuana cannot be sold or provided at marijuana clubs and it would require the clubs to attain a Recreational Marijuana Club license.

“What we’re trying to do is make sure those folks realize that it’s not a free-for-all,” she said. “There are some folks that have invested a great deal of time and energy to create a framework that’s legal, like alcohol, and just like alcohol, we find folks that are not operating properly, and we address it.”

Sale of pot at marijuana clubs is illegal in Colorado Springs, but it still takes place, often through loopholes.

“There are some things that are not clearly defined in statute that don’t give us the clear authority to enforce some aspects of these private clubs,” Colorado Springs Police Department Lt. Mark Comte said. “When a club is charging a membership fee, and in exchange providing a product to smoke, is that considered remuneration? Those are some legal issues that we’re trying to decide for today.”

Stakeholders had a lot of questions, like whether the license would be granted at the local or state level and how it would be enforced.

Roupe said this is only a draft still in the works, and there will be more stakeholder meetings to discuss it.