December 2012

 

Program Description:

2012 has been a momentous year for marijuana and hemp law in Colorado. This November, Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, voting to regulate marijuana like alcohol. The historic vote made Colorado one of only two states to decriminalize the recreational use of marijuana. Earlier in the year, the Colorado General Assembly passed a landmark piece of drug policy reform legislation. The "Hemp Bill," HB 12-1099, sets up the framework for the study and use of industrial hemp and seeks to use this "taboo" crop to clean up contaminated soil. Our panel of legislators and industry insiders, moderated by Brian Vicente, will discuss the history of hemp law and these recent and ongoing reform efforts. Colorado State Senator Suzanne Williams and Representative Wes McKinley will speak about the recent hemp legislation and the future of hemp under Amendment 64, including what licensing and regulations might look like and what hurdles hemp faces down the road. Additionally, Michael Bowman and Lynda Parker will cover the green energy and environmental uses for hemp, the new agricultural opportunities, and the manufacturing, business, and industries of hemp.

 

Agenda:

 

About the Faculty:

Vicente Consulting, LLC

Brian Vicente is a founding member of Vicente Consulting, LLC, a law firm providing legal solutions for the medical marijuana community. He also serves as executive director of Sensible Colorado, the state's leading non-profit working for medical marijuana patients and providers. Brian is the chair of the Denver Mayor's Marijuana Policy Review Panel, serves on the Colorado Department of Revenue Medical Marijuana Oversight Panel, and coordinates the Colorado Bar Association's Drug Policy Project. He was awarded the prestigious Gideon award for his free speech advocacy during the 2008 Democratic National Convention and was selected as “Freedom Fighter of the Month” by High Times magazine. In 2010 Brian was elected the first-ever chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association, the only trade association in the U.S. that works to advance the interests of cannabis-related businesses on the national level. 

The 25x'25 Alliance

Michael Bowman is a fifth-generation native of Colorado from the northeastern agricultural community of Wray, Colorado. Throughout his adult life he has been active in the rural development initiatives both nationally and internationally. He serves on the National Steering Committee for "25x'25" and was a founding member of the alliance. He is also a founding board member of the Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance and Shadowcliff, a Colorado non-profit focused on environmental education. Over the past six years he has spoken nationally and internationally on issues related to rural development, local food systems, sustainability and energy.

House District 64

Representative Wes McKinley is a cowboy and the Colorado State Representative for House District 64, which encompasses the counties of Baca, Bent, Huerfano, Las Animas, Otero, and Prowers. He is a member of the Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee.

Agricultural Hemp Initiative

Lynda Parker is a fourth generation Colorado native and a retired private citizen with a life-long passion for the environment and all things sustainable. Lynda spearheads the Agricultural Hemp Initiative. The goal of the organization is to invigorate farming in the western U.S. where water is scarce and to promote a range of new, sustainable agricultural practices across the country.

Senate District 28

Senator Suzanne Williams (South Aurora) is serving her second 4-year term in the State Senate after serving eight years in the Colorado House of Representatives. Senator Williams is the only registered American Indian state legislator in Colorado. After two years as the Democratic Caucus Chair, Sen. Williams currently serves as vice-chair of the Transportation Committee, as well as the Business, Labor & Technology Committee. She is the Co-Chair of the Colorado Women's Caucus.