Pubdate: Wed, 12 Mar 2014
Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO)
Section: CannaBiz
Copyright: 2014 Colorado Springs Independent
Contact:  http://www.csindy.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536
Author: Bryce Crawford

TEST FINDS INCREDIBLE EDIBLES INCONSISTENCY, COLORADO TAKES IN TAXES AND MORE

Edible Inconsistency

Independent tests performed by Steep Hill Halent Colorado, and
commissioned by The Denver Post, often revealed stark differences in
the amount of THC that edible-makers advertise and the amount a
product actually contains. The paper reported Sunday that Dr. J's Hash
Infusion was the worst offender, with one chocolate Star Barz
supposedly containing 100 milligrams of THC measuring out at .37 mg
instead. Dr. J's Winter Mint flavor yielded even less, at only .28
mg.

After hearing about the results, Dr. J's CEO Tom Sterlacci initially
questioned the validity of the tests conducted by Steep Hill, a
state-licensed lab. However, he later offered to the Post that his
company had recently significantly increased batch sizes to meet
demand, which may have affected consistency.

"We were making smaller batches prior to recreational, but the demand
went so high that we are now making bigger batches," Sterlacci told
the Denver daily. "Because our hash is cold-water extracted, it's
particalized [sic]. It's not an oil like butane or CO2. So if you have
the medicine sitting, the particles could fall to the bottom. So
somebody could get a high-potency product and somebody could get a
low-potency product."

Other offenders from the test include watermelon drops from Mile High
Candy (17 mg of THC present in a 100 mg package); Dixie Elixirs' Dixie
Rolls (60 mg present, 100 mg expected); and Incredibles' Mile High
Mint (146 mg present, 100 mg expected).

Ultimately, the uncertainty is only temporary; beginning in May, the
state will require infused-products makers to test for potency.

Colorado cash

On Monday, the state of Colorado released the first official total of
marijuana-related sales tax collected. Previous numbers were hinted
at, when Gov. Hickenlooper released a funding request, but this the
first tally: In January, the state brought in $2.01 million, with
Denver County responsible for $985,407 of that. About $1.4 million
comes from a special 10 percent sales-tax rate; $416,690 from the
regular 2.9 percent state sales-tax rate; and $195,318 from a 15
percent excise tax set to fund public-school construction.

A release from the state notes that returns were filed by only 59 RMJ
stores, meaning there will be a lot more where this came from once all
players are licensed.

Keef crumbs

A recent report from the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment shows that medical-marijuana patient registry numbers
actually increased for the period between Dec. 31, 2013 and Jan. 31,
when Amendment 64 took effect, from 110,979 to 111,030. El Paso County
gained eight registrants, to total 15,328.

The Canon City Daily Record reports that Canon City has extended a
moratorium on recreational-marijuana stores until July 1.

Club 710 (1609 S. Nevada Ave.) will host a "St. Dabby's Day"
celebration at 7:10 p.m., Sunday, March 16. Cost is $10 to $20. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D