Pueblo cannabis industry and lawmakers react to Sessions announcement

Recreational marijuana has brought Pueblo County $6 million in tax revenue and millions more as cannabis related businesses set up in the county.

But the future of this industry is uncertain thanks to an announcement from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The original Cole Memo put protections in place for the legal marijuana industry. The new memo by Sessions is getting rid of those protections and putting the future of dispensaries like Strawberry Fields in Pueblo up in the air. “We’re hoping that no knee jerk reaction could really set, you know, the regulators, the industry workers, the owners and operators into a tough position,” said Ethan Shean, the district manager for Strawberry Fields.

I n order to protect these businesses, County Commissioner Sal Pace said he’s going to take action. “I’m reaching out to other local elected officials across the state and across the country to organize a bipartisan effort to respond and to have our voices heard,” Pace said.

The Southern Colorado Cannabis Council also plans to work to protect the industry. “I think we’ll look at other avenues legislatively to sort of put up some safe guards to keep the intervention at bay the best that we’re able to,” said Jason Warf, the SOCOCC executive director.

Pace said legal cannabis venders should be safe for now, but are advising businesses to stay aware.

“They don’t have the staff power, the man power actually to do this,” Pace said.