3/4 of new Colorado marijuana licenses issued to recreational industry

Colorado issued more marijuana business licenses to the adult-use industry than the medical industry at a rate of about 3:1 in 2017, and half of those new licenses were for cultivators.

The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) released its annual update Friday. Overall, the 2017 report showed an increase in marijuana sales and licenses.

According to the report, of the 288 adult-use marijuana licenses issued, 144 were for cultivators. Seventy-two new store licenses were issued, and 66 new licenses were issued for adult-use manufacturers of marijuana-infused products. On the medical side, 38 of the 88 new licenses were issued to cultivators.

Also in the report: The entire state saw 11,463,712 plants legally grown for adult use and medical use in 2017.

Here’s a breakdown of the MED licenses for 2017:

Adult edible sales increased 29 percent from 2016, medical edible sales dropped 14 percent during the same time period. Adult-use marijuana accounted for 77 percent of all new marijuana-related business licenses in 2017. MED saw a 20 percent net increase in active occupational licenses, only 32 percent of all occupational licenses were renewed. MED found that the percentage of licensees passing underage sales checks rose to 95.1 percent in 2017 as compared to 94 percent in 2016.

“While we’re pleased that the percentage of licensees passing underage compliance checks increased from 2016, that number still isn’t good enough,” said Jim Burack, MED Director.

“We’ll continue to increase the frequency of our enforcement efforts and further educate marijuana licensees on their operational requirements vital to protecting public health and safety. Importantly, business licenses are subject to discipline, including revocation, if management is not diligent about underage enforcement and associated employee training.”