marijuana
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Divided Colorado Supreme Court curtails use of laced-substances defense
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The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday walked back the ability of criminal defendants to claim their conduct was the result of consuming an intoxicating substance that secretly contained another behavior-altering substance. Under state law, “involuntary intoxication” is an affirmative defense, meaning the prosecution has to disprove some component of that defense for the jury to…
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Colorado justices weigh constitutionality of student backpack search based on confidential tip
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The Colorado Supreme Court considered on Wednesday whether a tip submitted through the state’s confidential school safety system provided a Douglas County administrator with reasonable suspicion to search a student’s backpack for drugs. A trial judge blocked evidence from the search from being used against the child, prompting the district attorney’s office to appeal directly…
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Big Marijuana in Colorado is all about spin, denial | PODIUM
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Where there’s weed smoke, there’s fire. In Leadville last month, this was literally the case, as a pot shop incinerated along with its mind-altering wares. The acrid smoke was so harmful to residents that homes were evacuated. The local public health agency told people to stay indoors or wear masks for a half-mile around town.…
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Colorado marijuana sales likely to reach $1 billion in 2025
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Colorado’s marijuana sales will likely reach $1 billion by the end of 2025, generating almost $200 million in tax revenue, according to a state agency. “Colorado’s world-class marijuana industry drives out criminals and cartels and is supporting Colorado businesses and jobs while driving revenue for school construction. This important milestone is one that our state can continue…
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Marijuana reclassification order sparks mixed reaction in Colorado
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President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an order directing the loosening of federal regulations on marijuana, sparking a mixed reaction in Colorado, where policymakers and advocacy groups praised and criticized the decision. Trump’s order instructs the attorney general to quickly move ahead with reclassifying marijuana, which has long been legal in Colorado, though it remains…
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Trump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug and open new avenues for medical research, a major shift in federal drug policy that inches closer to what many states have done. The switch would move marijuana away from its current classification as a…
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Defendant’s ‘train wreck’ of a statement prompts appeals court to order new trial
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Colorado’s second-highest court ordered a new trial on Thursday for a defendant whose 16-minute statement mid-trial, which had no basis in criminal procedure and was described by one judge as a “train wreck,” resulted in a constitutionally unfair proceeding. Jefferson County prosecutors charged Riddick Amoako-Asiamah with large-scale marijuana cultivation or distribution based on the substantial amount…
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‘Dabs made me do it?’ Colorado justices ponder when defendants can rely on laced drugs as defense
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Members of the Colorado Supreme Court struggled last week to determine where to draw the line between allowing defendants to argue they unwittingly consumed a substance that caused them to engage in criminal behavior, while also preventing a wave of unsubstantiated claims about laced drugs. Under state law, “involuntary intoxication” is an affirmative defense, meaning…
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Appeals court clarifies prohibition on lawyers doubling as witnesses covers more than jury trials
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Colorado’s second-highest court clarified on Thursday that the rule generally prohibiting lawyers from also serving as witnesses at trial does not apply only to jury trials. Under Colorado’s rules of professional conduct, an attorney cannot litigate a case when the lawyer is likely to be a necessary witness “at trial.” There are limited exceptions, including…
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Air Force hits recruitment goal with new body fat standards, marijuana waivers and other changes
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The Air Force hit its recruiting goal for 2024 after implementing numerous changes such new body fat standards, marijuana waivers and new legal permanent resident requirements. In a written statement, Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein, commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service, said no single change made the difference, but numerous factors helped, such as removing…
