Colorado Considers Unusual Law To Guard Growers Against U.S. Government

medical marijuana and a doctor's prescription

At a time when the U.S. government has been less than supportive of cannabis, states are taking measures to protect their legal industries from federal crackdown.

Colorado legislators are considering perhaps the most unusual safeguard yet.

The state reportedly may pass a measure that allows its 500 or so growers to change the classification of their crops to medicinal marijuana, should any new laws threaten recreational pot.

Growers of such pot could automatically convert their license to a medicinal one â€œbased on a business need due to a change in local, state or federal law or enforcement policy.” The primary motivation is to establish security for inventory should federal agents show up to confiscate recreational product.

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One downside to this loophole would be the loss of nearly $100 million in annual revenue for Colorado, since taxes are much lower on medicinal marijuana.