Colorado House Approves Bill to Streamline Marijuana Rules, Double Retail Purchase Limit

Key Points
  • House Bill 1209 aims to streamline marijuana licensing rules, simplify recordkeeping requirements, and expand research and development access for licensees.
  • The bill allows marijuana businesses to maintain required records without duplicating those already logged in the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system and authorizes the Marijuana Enforcement Division to demand video footage with at least 72 hours’ notice.
  • HB 1209 raises the limit for the amount of marijuana a person can purchase in a single retail transaction from one ounce to two ounces and permits marijuana stores to offer free promotional units to qualified customers, provided they meet strict requirements.
  • The bill expands research and development provisions by allowing licensees to provide marijuana samples to a broader group of licensed employees and sets strict safety and packaging standards for these samples.

House Bill 1209, sponsored by Representatives William Lindstedtand along with 13 cosponsors, focuses on streamlining marijuana licensing rules, simplifying recordkeeping requirements, and expanding research and development (R&D) access for licensees. It also reduces certain appropriations and modifies criminal history check requirements for license applicants.

Under the bill, marijuana businesses will be allowed to maintain required records without duplicating those already logged in the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system. The bill also authorizes the Marijuana Enforcement Division to demand video footage with at least 72 hours’ notice and modernizes communication between regulators and licensees by moving away from first-class mail in favor of digital notifications. HB 1209 would raise the amount of marijuana a person can purchase in a single retail transaction from one ounce to two ounces. It also allows marijuana stores to offer free promotional units to qualified customers, provided the products meet strict labeling, testing, and tracking requirements.

Additionally, the bill expands R&D provisions by allowing licensees to provide marijuana samples—now called “R-and-D units”—to a broader group of licensed employees, not just managers. These units must meet safety and packaging standards and cannot be used as compensation or consumed onsite.

The measure now heads to the Senate for further consideration. If passed into law, it would take effect on January 5, 2026.

For the full text of the bill, click here.