CO’s Gun Rights Proposal, MD’s Rec Success, & NM’s Little Amsterdam

Maryland celebrates one year of recreational sales, “Little Amsterdam” pops up on the Texas-New Mexico border, and voters advocate to empower cannabis consumers in their Second Amendment right.  

Here’s what you missed this week in cannabis and psychedelic news.

Colorado Ballot Proposal Would Allow Concealed Carry Permits for Cannabis Users

A proposed law in Colorado, backed by the advocacy group Guns for Everyone, seeks to allow cannabis users permits to carry concealed guns. 

Historically, as marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, cannabis users are generally not permitted to purchase a firearm. However, particularly with the HSS call to reschedule cannabis, both cannabis and gun advocacy groups are pushing back on this law.

The Colorado measure, set for a public hearing, aims to allow cannabis users to carry concealed firearms in public, arguing for equal rights with alcohol users. If passed, the state would not be able to deny cannabis users from applying for their concealed carry permit on the premise of their cannabis use alone. 

All eyes are on the Centennial State as they move to set a precedent for other states to follow. 

Maryland Cannabis Industry Reaches New Heights in Its First Year of Rec Sales 

Maryland’s recreational market reached $700 million dollars in sales in its first year. And adult-use cannabis isn’t the only market that was affected. MD medical cannabis saw a $200 million increase in the first 5 months of 2023. 

The state is using some of the revenue from these sales to benefit different communities statewide, including the state’s cannabis public health fund and a state cannabis business assistance fund. 

Recreational cannabis sales include a 9% sales tax charged that goes toward health, business, social equity, and the state’s general fund. Maryland med card holders, on the other hand, are exempt from this 9% tax.  Nevertheless, the state is also taking measures to make sure that the industry is diversified by issuing 75 new social equity licenses through lottery to those disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. 

Texas Residents Fuel a “Little Amsterdam” in New Mexico

New Mexico’s recreational cannabis program officially began in 2012. Ever since, the New Mexico cannabis industry has been helping boost the economy in tiny towns like Sunland Park. 

With 16 active dispensaries and a little over 17,000 residents, Sunland Park often welcomes cannabis enthusiasts from other states – Texas in particular. Since recreational cannabis is not legal in Texas, many TX residents have been crossing the border into Sunland to purchase and consume. 

This phenomenon is so common that Cannabis Business Executive deemed it “Little Amsterdam.” Dispensaries have even started offering “Texan Tuesday” deals to welcome and cater to out-of-state visitors. 

Should Colorado cannabis users have the right to purchase guns? Will you be visiting Little Amsterdam? Tell us your thoughts below!

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