Colorado panel makes no progress on marijuana edibles

Photo: Pot brownies (AP Photo)
In this Sept. 26, 2014 photo, smaller-dose pot-infused brownies are divided and packaged at The Growing Kitchen, in Boulder.

A Colorado task force searching for a way to comply with a new law requiring edible marijuana to have a distinct look made no progress after four meetings of debate.

A group of regulators, law enforcement, parent groups and edible-pot makers wrapped up a final task force meeting Monday with no consensus or votes on what marijuana-infused foods and drinks should look like.

"This is an issue that is going to dramatically effect the health and safety of our, not only youth, but our people in general, our citizens in Colorado," says Gina Carbone, with Smart Colorado, a group supporting strict regulations on marijuana. Smart Colorado endorsed a proposal to approve edibles on a case by case basis.

The members have mostly argued about whether it would be possible to make sure the wide variety of pot-infused products don't look like regular foods.

Those in the edibles industry said they shared the same concerns about public health.

"We want to keep it out of the hands of children, and sensible regulation," says Jamie Lewis, owner of Mountain Medicine. "But unfortunately there’s a barrier in terms of us all coming to the table together."

The industry fought attempts to ban most types of edibles, or stamp products with a mark denoting marijuana. They favored instead increased education and better packaging.

The Marijuana Enforcement Division is required to submit a recommendation by February to lawmakers, who make the final decision.

Editors note: A previous version of this article referred to Smart Colorado as "anti marijuana." The group tells CPR they are not against legalization, but are, "an advocacy group concerned with youth marijuana use."