Cannabis-using workers in Colorado have received workplace protections thanks to a new executive order from the governor.
On Thursday, Governor Jared Polis announced that he had signed an executive order (EO) to guarantee that no Coloradan is penalized for possessing, growing, or using cannabis.
Colorado legalized adult-use cannabis on November 6, 2012 when Coloradans voted to pass Amendment 64.
Governor Polis’ executive order directs the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and the Colorado Department of Revenue to protect the state’s workforce and expand licensing opportunities.
Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed bills in May 2013 to implement the state’s cannabis industry.
According to the EO, Colorado’s legal cannabis industry has created more than 40,000 jobs and generated more than $2 billion in state tax revenue.
Governor Polis says preventing people from working because of their cannabis use is counterproductive for the people and the state.
“The exclusion of people from the workforce because of marijuana-related activities that are lawful in Colorado, but still criminally penalized in other states, hinders our residents, economy, and our State,” says Governor Polis. “No one who lawfully consumes, possesses, cultivates, or processes marijuana pursuant to Colorado law should be subject to professional sanctions or denied a professional license in Colorado. This includes individuals who consume, possess, cultivate, or process marijuana in another state in a manner that would be legal under Colorado law.”
The EO states that Colorado will not cooperate with out-of-state investigations involving disciplinary actions against a professional cannabis license, certification, credential for cannabis-related activities that are legal in Colorado.
The EO will remain in effect unless a future governor modifies or rescinds it through a new executive order.
