August 7, 2023 — Cannabis Licensing Advisory Board Regular Meeting

Transcript

Captions from City of Boulder YouTube recording.

[0:07] I already did. Sure. Yes, I'm here. Okay. we have quorum. Would you like to call the meeting to order? Yes, welcome to the August seventh, 28. Someone's call every. I'm wondering if it's having. No. all right. never mind I don't know if you could hear when my phone rings. But anyways welcome to the August seventh, 2,023. meeting for the Cannabis Licensing and Advisory Board. trying to pull up the agenda. But I'm assuming the first thing is you're it's up to you. Kristen. Right? Yes, thank you. Chair coinsman. We'll begin with our administrative agenda items this afternoon. The first one is instructions for virtual meeting and rules of decorum.

[1:15] Thank you. Public participation at the cannabis, licensing and advisory board meetings. The city is engaged with community members to create a vision for productive, meaningful, and inclusive civic conversations. This vision supports physical and emotional safety for community members, staff and boards and commission members as well as democracy. For people of all ages, identities lived experiences and political perspectives. More about this vision and the projects. Community engagement process can be found at the web link posted here. Next slide, please. The following are examples of rules of decorum found in the Boulder revised Code and other guidelines that support this vision.

[2:04] these will be upheld. During this meeting all remarks and testimony shall be limited to matters related to city business. No participant shall make threats, or use other forms of intimidation against any person. Obscenity, racial epithets, and other speech and behavior that disrupts or otherwise impedes the ability to conduct the meeting are prohibited. participants are required to sign up to speak, using the name they are commonly known by. and individuals must display their whole name before being allowed to speak online. Currently, only audio testimony is permitted online. Thank you. We will now move on to roll call Member Anderson. Member Christie. present. Sorry. I'm eating lunch that my videos off

[3:02] Member Daniel. present member, green president. chair coonsman present and I'll I'll send a text to a member. Anderson. member, noble present ex official member, Bailey. Awesome staff did receive notification that vice Chair Keegan and ex official member, Thompson, would be absent for today's meeting. All right now for the meeting minutes from June fifth is everyone got a chance to review those meeting minutes? And is there any corrections or additions? Anything that I was not captured.

[4:00] and if not, I'll entertain a motion to approve. And since Brian's not here, you know, somebody else is just gonna have to step up. Sorry I move to approve the Zoom Meeting minutes. And any10, do we need see the other thing that I share? People have to do hand things now, but we don't. We're not doing into hand movements yet. Right? Anyone. A okay. Good those minutes pass. Thank you. Now. the next thing on the agenda is elections of chair and vice chair. We had put this off twice. Does that sound correct? That is correct? you had opted to wait until you had a full forum.

[5:01] Yeah. Well, we didn't have. I mean, I'm sorry. Full complement of the board. but I don't know if we're ever gonna have a phone compliment Brian did state his position our point of view, but I don't. But since he's not here, I'm not sure. What do you think, Kristen? And or Andy? Yeah, I I think. Brian volunteered. to be co-chair again to the extent the Board nominates him. So he is on board with doing that, if the other board members would like to proceed with the vote And then he he also voiced a a support to the extent that the Board would like to renominate Tom, as Cherokee for voice support for that as well as I've said before. Well, first of all, are we okay with going ahead

[6:05] Or do you want to try to put this off until another meeting, when we may or may not have a full compliment of our members. We do have quorum, right? Correct thoughts. Go ahead, Ethan. I don't think anything is gonna change. doesn't seem like anyone else is interested in those seats or positions. So I think it's safe to move. Move forward now rather than postponing. Thank you for that. As I said before. I'm not wet it to this seat

[7:00] right here, and So anybody else who wants to step up by. But I'm also quite willing to continue continue serving as the Sharon, as Brian indicated the Andy. he's like willing to stay on his vice chair. All right. That's 2 cents from everyone. Robin. Thank you, Tom. I just want to thank you for having served in this role for so long. And express my appreciation. If you're willing to do it again. I think you've done a good job, I think, Member Keegan does a good job as well when he's called upon. So I'm I very much support those 2 things if the Board wants to keep moving. Thank you. Thank you. Stacy. You know exactly the same way Robin just said works for me to vote. Now, I mean, you guys done a good job, and

[8:06] no one else is saying they want to vote to have a chance at it. So I I hearing what it sounds like, Brian thinks I think we're all set. and Michael, and then Allison, or either are either our first. I agree with what folks have said. I nominate you, Tom. Okay? And you, okay with grinding. Absolutely. Yeah. And then you guys are doing a great job. Alright. So then, technicality, Andy and our one of the Christians, what do we need to do? It sounds like there's a consensus. Have we heard from Ethan yet? no, yeah, Ethan spoke up first, and I I guess I'll I'll make it official that I have texted happening, but have heard nothing back yet.

[9:07] So we need to vote. I guess I guess technically, it's probably a good idea. Right? Yeah, I think I think you can get a motion for both nominations and a vote. If it's consensus, which it sounds like it is so it sounds like Michael made it a a second on that. I'll second that chair. But can staff call the vote? Certainly the motion is to continue with chair conspiracy in the at role of chair vice chair. Mr. Keegan. for continuing cycle.

[10:00] Can I have any eyes? Yes. are there any days? I'm not seeing any nays. Do you want a voice vote. I don't think we need to. I think everybody pretty much voted in their comments. Okay, motion, continues. Mr. Kunstan, will continue to be the chair with Brian Keegan being continuing as the vice chair. Okay. thank you. Thanks for your votes of confidence. let's go on to general public comments from board from the for the board. Excuse me. agenda. Item number 2. General public comments from the board. Public comments will be limited to 3 min per speaker, in order to Indicate your intention to speak. You may raise your hand.

[11:00] using the raise hand feature at the bottom of your screen. I don't see that we have anyone calling in. Sure consume. We see one. I see 2, all right, and we will proceed with our first speaker. Lynn Siegel. Yeah, I don't support any promotion. I do not support any promotion of cannabis of any type. I think the whole board should be disbanded. I think that in these days and ages. We don't need recreational drugs anymore, including alcohol. that we have people starving all over the world. We have climate change. We have viruses, we have inflation, wildfires and plenty more important things to spend money on than recreational fund drugs.

[12:10] I think it's revolting that so much money goes into this and so much energy. When we have war in Ukraine, we've got plenty more to be spending on than then. Something like drag C States. I did plenty of Lsd and marijuana when I was young. But I'm 70, and it's gotten to be a whole different thing, and I don't support even when I did drugs because the these were problems back then, too, and I shouldn't have ever been in a position where I could have done drugs. So that's why I think promoting it in any way is, is completely negative to society, to our culture. and to the betterment of mankind and the common good. And probably my son is probably going to get a divorce because of it, because he smokes pot

[13:04] and it. And it's grand, my grandson, and it destroys families it. It. It takes people away from important problems that need to be dealt to deal with. And it's really sad that it's so prominent in our culture. And I think boards like this, and any other means of promoting it with tax breaks, or you know, I know it's in a downtime now, but I think it should, there should be active engagement to get rid of drugs entirely in our society. And yesterday Life's too short in a hundred years. There's not going to be drugs anymore. So let's start now and change this and make it a productive society. it just also with Fentanyl and other drugs being incorporated into the street drugs or regular recreational drugs

[14:09] and that kind of destruction and leading into opioids potentially. there's there's just no need to have fun by getting numbed. What is the function of that? I've got 4 s. I have the illusion of getting high. Too bad that we have a society like that. So let's get rid of it. Yes, our next speaker is Raju Bot. Yes, thank you very much for doing this important work.

[15:03] I can understand what the previous speaker has spoken about. She's 70 and so I can understand where she's coming from. I appreciate so much the opportunity to have cannabis in the State. It has helped me so much. I have autism. I'm on the spectrum. I'm able to have conversations. I'm able to interact and have meaningful connections. or I'm able to understand myself better. The end of endocannabinoid system so important it affects our our mood affects our appetite, our sleep. The previous speaker spoke about waste of money. Well. there's a lot of waste of money in things that don't work, and this works this works with sleep. This works for appetite, this works or depression.

[16:01] and there's so many other uses, too, which is learning a few of the end of cannabis. There are hundreds of uses for this. and we'll be finding out more and more. And so I commend you for for being present for doing the work you're doing for have an open mind, and for seeing how this wonderful herb can help more people. I am concerned about pharmaceuticals like the previous lady spoke about, and drugs and Pentanol and all those things. We should be very concerned about all those things I do that you. and I do think that it's important to have education education to our use of an education, to a adult population of usage timing, setting. All those things are important. The autism communities. They're educating themselves more about how it's helping and and usage. We've got Dr. Cohen here in in

[17:05] boulder and other doctors who are amazingly doing amazing work and helping a lot of people. There's a lot of compassion and empathy in this process. I am grateful for the work that you guys are doing. But I do want to emphasize. Yes, with the I do. I understand what the lady is saying. Previously we do have to have more education. I am starting a business as a social equity very soon. but I'm also gonna have a nonprofit on the site for educating youngsters and for how to use this medication more, even as a meditation how to use it as a meditation. So I appreciate, you guys work. And I, looking forward to what you have to same share. Thank you for your comments, both of you. I did not ask at the end of the first one. Did anyone have any questions for you that one of the speakers.

[18:12] seeing no hands up and having a fairly full agenda, I think I will move on with the there's any more speakers. Kristen. No share can spend there or not. Okay, all right, then. so this is going to be customary. We're going to have members or matters from the cannabis Enforcement officer agenda. Item number 3. Oh, apology. I I apologize to interrupt. I just wanted to let folks know I need to hop off at 3 30, but then I will join back when I can. Thank you. Thanks. Continuing on in our agenda today's agenda. Item number 3 matters from the cannabis Enforcement officer.

[19:04] Good evening board. Thank you for having me on regular agenda. this meeting. I just need to point out that we've had a very drastic increase in the number of C's fake ids from a lot of the dispensaries that before I I would not get any from. So we're not sure what's caused this increase. I'm working with the state med to see what's causing this trend, and I'll keep you guys posted. And this is on page 16 of the packet. Right? That sound right? Also, you know. I don't know.

[20:03] It's exploded, and we're not sure. Why is there a real time? way for us as a as a board to check what you're reporting now? that there's not one currently set up for that. What I do is I make, I send my numbers into Kristen and the licensing team to include in the packet so it's not real time you're going to be behind by like one or 2 weeks. Okay. anyone have any questions. I have an obvious question. But I thought I'd let somebody else. Why. I do not know. it's it was just an interesting phenomenon.

[21:02] it it had no no correlation with the students being here. we had no correlation to it. It's not really high schoolers that are doing it. It's people that are within a year of being of the legal age to buy it legally. so it's kind of stumping us in the law enforcement world. Why, this is happening. Hmm. Robin. yeah, I just wanted to let the Board know them, and include in the next meeting packet a a report that had to be filed in the Legislature from med about their pro. It was a performance audit that was required through legislation. and that's kind of interesting. And I understand Med is is acting on all the recommendations in this report. So

[22:00] I think that boats well for youth enforcement. And with respect to the numbers coming up, I in terms of fake ids. I don't know. I know that. 1317, and I mean how still 1317 from 2021 is in effect. and the ability of young people to buy large quantities of marijuana from dispensaries, and then resell to friends, has really been curtailed. We understand from that legislation, because it makes it so much more difficult for people between the ages of 18 and 21 to get medical card. And so I think that that is really promising thing, but that may be why you're seeing more fake ids. I don't know. I appreciate the information. You're welcome. Stacey. Yes, thanks for that information. I couldn't agree more with Robin. I think that was exactly the idea that popped into my head as I was listening, that if we're cutting down how much each person can buy. And you're seeing this in that age group chances are it is an effort to just accumulate more volume. I mean, that's like what I would guess I don't. I can't really think of another reason why

[23:21] you'd be seeing more fake ids at this point other than trying to not have been there that day, or send someone out, you know, to just get more. So that would be my and hypothesis. So I agree with Robin on. That sounds about right with everything else that's gone on and changed anyone else. And you It's May. It's made the news. So you know, I think we've all seen it. But you know, Denver, crack down on some functions

[24:00] or related to cannabis. Do you see any? I don't know any association with any of that, I mean. do you have any comments about? Well, there, there was that one Stoner cinema event last Friday, but it was we couldn't find out where it was, and if it was held it sure was very quiet, and there was no police response to the area. they're going to be holding more of those events. And so I'm hooked up now with the Denver Pds liaison. there's this little task force because cholera Springs, I guess, had some issues a couple of weeks ago during their event. So. we're all banding together to to try and get more. try and stop it because they're operating without a license on the state level. So hopefully by all of us collaborating, we can try and get

[25:07] get that to to go away. The licenses are not given up by municipalities. The state license. right? The company that's putting it on Stoner cinema. by them selling these tickets online. They're basically operating as a business, and they're they're not license. So the state Ag's office is looking into trying to go after him that way. Hmm! Which we had we kind of nice to have a one or several young person's perspectives, or but we don't have anyone representing them today unless somebody else on on this board has some insight from a child they have, or whatever

[26:04] anyways, all right. Next on the anything else. No, sir. yeah. Okay. Are there? Are there any policy suggestion forms that came in late agenda? Item number 4, policy suggestion forms received for the August meeting. There were no forms received for this meeting time. But we did. Have we got to find it here? We did we go ahead? We had the one from that that we've seen previously. Right correct. That is our continuing agenda. Item number 5, discussion regarding June meetings. Policy, suggestion form. striking the requirements for medical and dual license stores to maintain a private consultation room. A copy of the form was provided in the packet.

[27:01] And Andy, did you want to? yeah, start that off? Yeah. This is on Pdf, page 19 of your packet, for this is a form that was submitted on for the June fifth meeting. in essence. What it is is this is the do we really need that separate cons consultation room for medical marijuana dispensaries? Should that continue to be a requirement that is imposed on on medical marijuana dispensaries as part of their having a license premises, and I guess the reward in our office has been with the city for a long time, and she did a What I would say is a pretty deep dive into some of the history surrounding where this came from, and sort of how we got to this point, and I don't want to get too much into the weeds of it, but kind of what we discovered was that it was basically a zoning requirement. So part of

[28:10] the zoning, I'm going to pull up the actual language here. part of the determination under the land use code under the Brc. As to where medical marijuana dispensaries could be hinged on this definition of personal service use, which at the time. We believe this is back in O 9 and 2,010 changed. the medical marijuana wellness centers and included in the personal service, uses definition. This definition for all kinds of alternative health care providers, including physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, nutritionist, and it kind of bundled in with this this wellness center concept, and then that got plugged into the brc for the medical marijuana. In that 6 dash 14 dash 7

[29:06] I think the the key takeaways are. unless the the Board would like to discuss and provide. I guess further, input I guess one. I think, re one. I would like to circle back with licensing staff to discuss this a little bit further. but 2. If the Board were to make any recommendations to running this, we would need to get planning involved and make sure we're on the same page with understanding sort of the original principles of this and you know, I I see Re was hopping on like she might have some thoughts, so I'll kick it over to you, and just second re. What but The original principles of this and the whole concept of a wellness center. And you know why it came about and what might change. So do you want to chime in?

[30:00] Well, the only thing I'd like to add to that is, you know, the fact that they were considered to be wellness centers required the premises to have certain portions that were licensed and unlicensed. so a patient could be escorted from a waiting area where where non-patient can also reside or stay and be. and only a patient maybe escorted 2 portions of the license facility. So there's a a waiting room until that patient is seen just like you are at a doctor's office where the patient can be seen as well as anybody with that patient can wait because that patient cannot go into the, or is not supposed to go into the licensed premises with the patient. So again like yet, he said, I would. since we were not the ones that wrote the code. you know, looking back, researching what was said, what was presented to council in 2,008, 2,010 watched the code change through the years, I I think, wrapping and licensing, wrapping and planning. We could have a lot more.

[31:15] a a much more of a comprehensive answer for the board. at least by next month. In other words, you like to discuss again, Robin. Thank you. Chair. Thank you, Andy, and thank you, Rewa. I really appreciate that because I I just want to say that as you look into this one of the things that I felt really concerned about when I read the the constituents. Suggestion form was this idea that maybe we are having buttenders give out medical advice that they shouldn't be given, and I hope Stacy is still on, because I'd really love to hear what she has to say about this and is this the only mechanism that we have for preventing that from happening. Because if that's if that's what's happening. I

[32:12] I appreciate the suggestion to change this room idea to kind of make that stop, but that needs to stop, but that that just shouldn't be happening. And I just wondered if in the context of this conversation, you know, there's there's some other things maybe even can. I don't mean to put you on the spot even, but if you have any thoughts about that, I'd love to hear them. I appreciate that and I whole hardly agree with with the conversation. thus far, that you know. I you know personally, don't deal too much on the on the dispensary side of the businesses. But I do agree that, you know this seems like

[33:01] the legislative intent you know is outdated. in the context that we're considering today. And you know, we need to do everything that we can to make sure that medical advice is is not being Provide it to. You know patients by individuals that are license to do so or do not have the the medical background, that it is necessary to provide that kind of advice. Share me? I follow up. Yeah, I just, you know, I think when when there's you know, when we're using wellness center and patience, and I can see where the confusion can happen at the Buttender level. And I think that the person who brought this forward is saying, this room is confusing to buttenders as well, and I think there could be some real value to the community to having more clarity on all those

[34:00] questions they, Stacy, did you want to? We in on the issue? Maybe. I think she had to step away chair for just a few minutes. So the issue is when when you have a what is it called a dual license store? How many dual license stores do we have in? And older city of border. I can look that up for you and get back to you in just a few minutes. I mean in the range of I I don't want to misquote it. So if you just give me 5 min, I can get the actual number for you. A, and until now then, the real. There isn't a provider or like a license provider. I I think byteenders buttenders have a license. Anybody know that, Andy, for chance.

[35:00] or I'm even. I know that I I don't. Are the individuals. Is that what you're asking? Yeah, I mean, like, I have a license from the State of Colorado practice. Medicine is a butt tender. I have a license from the State of Colorado practice, one tending. I I don't believe they have a license. I believe they're all registered with the Med, like, I believe once the premises license that they're registered, but i'm not a hundred percent sure on that they just have a standard that just provided to them by the State. There's nothing else. Additionally, they have to go through for training to be about to under. Okay. it is a rather strange situation, Stacy, to have you been able to follow any of this. Oh, you're still mute.

[36:01] We can't hear you. I miss the last about 3 min, because I had to run so I can't answer a question at the minute, but I'm sure I'll catch back up shortly. Here. Kristen. Any luck on the number. I for some reason I remember 18, but I don't even know why. I remember that that it's not quite that high, but I'll I'll get that for you just a minute time. I'm working on it. My question to Kristen was to how many dual licensed cannabis stars do we have? How many people, how many stores does this affect? Because somebody is just retail doesn't have to have this room right? Everybody see things the same way. It's only somebody who has a medical license. I guess. One thing that you and or I might be concerned about is. you know, in a in a medical office. You have to. You have to pay attention to privacy

[37:08] issues, and doesn't sound like that was folded into any of this at some point at 1 point in time. But Stacy, just to catch up. Andy spoke first, followed by re one. They're gonna put together some more information on the whole genesis of this situation. So there hasn't been a motion yet. But one thing to do is to re-address this at the next meeting that I capture that? Okay, Rewa and or Andy. yeah, I I think we need to get with the planning department to see how this ties into zoning better. And then also

[38:03] we haven't had a chance to discuss with actual licensing staff sort of the implications of this. So that's I think, that should be the next steps. I have a curiosity question that I don't even know who would answer this. But our medical, our people getting out of the medical license, our medical cannabis business? Is there a movement away from it? They're getting out of the medical grows. How about selling it, though so far the ones that have dual licenses have kept both of them. Okay. so this is has not restricted. or they don't feel restricted by this rule. No, they just. They they make more money on the right side than they do on the medical side.

[39:00] Okay. any any any news, Kristen? Or it's not essential we can. We're gonna come back to this again. So we have 5 co-located wellness centers and city of Over. And are there any just sole medical license to businesses at this point there are. We have both so medical licenses for recreational licenses, and then 5 co-located businesses. Do you happen? Whatever it's in front of you. Do you have the number of sole medical license businesses? Just a moment. I can get that for you. do you? I'd like to add, just to just to let everybody know as first the co-located centers go, your predecessors map the marijuana advisory panel They weighed in on the Brc language with regard to co-located centers, and their idea behind the that there's a private consultation room for those. Again. You you've got a co-located center saved medical their privacy is needed.

[40:11] There's a waiting room needed. and it was initially made to uphold the intent of the waiting area necessary for identification verification and for patients in the medical wellness centers. That's that's the history I could find with regard to the language in the what with which I can. Yeah, that that would be for the the in the recreational code for the co-located okay. Oh, do we need a motion to to table this until next month, or our next meeting somebody from the city. I I don't think you need a a motion. I mean, you don't need to act upon these policy forms. So we just wanna make sure we're taking our time to figure out everything

[41:08] before you all are in a position to even make a recommendation to the council. So. okay. how about we move on to the next item on the agenda? Because. as I said, we've got plenty to do today. so I have Kristen, unless you want to introduce it. I have, you can do it. But you go ahead. Thank you for continuity. Agenda. Item number 6. The presentation of the responsible Association of Retailers, Nathan Dewey presenting. and this is from pages 28 ish, I think, to page 50 in the packet. Yes, they begin on page 23, 43. Sorry I was down to 50 here. Okay, Nathan, you there.

[42:02] Yup, we can see you, too. All right. Cool. I am watching my 2 boys. hopefully they won't bust in, but if they do, I apologize. so good afternoon, everybody. I see some from interfaces here Some of you have talked to were met in the past, due to my history with my work. I just wanted to lay out a few things I know. I already sent ahead short little packet of information about what Rar is and who? Well, not exactly who I am, but what we do more or less. so I just kinda want to paraphrase that for you all real quick, and then try and leave some time open for some questions and and such. I do want to say real quick, though. The topic you were just talking about is what I do. if if you need those kind of things that kind of information. That's that's something I can help you with. as well as why did everybody get those fake ids? Let's figure that out. That's very interesting to me. Because, we don't get a lot of those up here at the dispensaries in Northern Colorado, just because a lot of people know they they're not getting through.

[43:04] so there's not a lot of attempts. So that's just something. So you can all know that we already have a little bit of a wealth of knowledge on But let me just begin by introducing myself again. My name is Nathan Dewey. I am the director of a nonprofit program geared around youth, prevention and wellness, and that includes alcohol. marijuana, and all other forms of intoxicants and inabrients we run programs. I I don't. I do not do this myself. But we do run programs within middle schools and high schools teaching about wellness and prevention. I'm sure some of you have taken a program that I was privy to growing up in Colorado called Dare dare really just educated us about drugs, what they were and kind of said, Hey, don't do this, don't do that. Here's your here's your brain. It's a frying pan, and here's an egg. There's your bring. not really effective. To be quite honest, we take a program called Brain wise and put it into the children's schools. It teaches us about the left and right brain we call wizard and lizard brain

[44:10] and that is not something I'm really, really educated on more than I can point those people in the right direction to hopefully one day get into the schools and in Boulder and Boulder County. As as we will be moving there in the future years. I run the program because it was started in 2,004 unfortunately, a gal over consumed alcohol up in 4 columns, and the community came together with an old nonprofit I used to work with called team for Collins, and they came together to create a code of ethics which you will see on that first page I gave you. we have a code of ethics that generally says we diligently check ids. We encourage testing the drivers. We train employees how to identify inebriated individuals, etc., etc. It's about being a good citizen, a good community member, and to look looking out for the community at large, not only the children, but our patrons as well. In these establishments.

[45:05] and those are the code of ethics that we have them follow. And if they do go against those code of ethics, they're all repercussions, nothing too severe but more just. What can we work on? Why did this this thing happen? long story short, though at the beginning Rr. Was just alcohol focused. And of course, right around 2,012 those years is when legalization started coming around the old nonprofit, I used to work 14, 4 calls was actually a major force and shutting down the industry and Port Collins, and a few other places. And It was even like mentioned in documentaries for National Geographic, and such. So you can imagine me being hired in 2,015, going into dispensaries and getting cussed out. being told to leave, and they want nothing to do with me. as I was hired in 2,015 to Take over this program and introduce a Candace for cannabis responsibility, just as we've been doing with alcohol just a little more background. So you know, when I did join we had 30 members. pre covid. I've got our numbers up to about 300 statewide.

[46:13] We are located in 4 columns, Greeley and Boulder. Those are our main hubs, but I do work in Windsor, Lovelyland, for Co. Or on the sport phones, obviously. Longmont and Lafayette right now. so we do have our hands stretched out there as far as the alcohol goes, cannabis has been mostly focused in poor columns, because and Greeley sorry, because jurisdictions like Longmont winds are these places do not allow for cannabis sales. So back in 2,019, I was invited to take over what was the Rhg. The responsible Hospitality group of boulder. there! The the gentleman who was running it at the time it just became too much for him, and they found out about what we were the good work we were doing in Northern Colorado, and we were invited to take over that responsible hospitality group. And now that that gentleman is actually a member of the bla now. so it's really come full circle with with him and myself and the good work we're doing with alcohol.

[47:16] before I get into the cannabis. Just a little quick synopsis of what we're doing with alcohol. I do. Monthly trainings called tips trainings. If you're not familiar. They're alcohol service trainings. the boulder liquor of licensing authority. Actually, the bla actually requires that anybody who has a license or is getting a license is to have their staff trained within 60 days of higher and I'm going to tell you right now boulder is one of the most responsible communities I have out of all my chapters, and I do believe the initiation of this was something that was helpful, and it is something like. I will be suggesting here in a second when I talk about my own program. but as a responsible safe, the safety service sales

[48:04] training that you have to pass with a 70% or better. And if you pass, you can serve alcohol for 3 years. Beyond that we do fake id trainings where I bring in like a officer, Dennis, who's the alcohol officer for compliance officers? officer Pam's counterpart for alcohol. He and I do 2 trainings a year in Boulder, where we have huge turnouts, and people come and learn how to properly fake id from law enforcement, and myself. We do patron safety trainings, where we teach about how to keep your patron safe, how to not see the people who are ineviated. And then we offer things like black lights, and you get a fake out. You're gonna start. You get an id brand new id guide every single year from us as part of membership. we have trainings every month. We have member I member meetings where members of the alcohol chapter come every other month to every 3 months. It just depends. It's a little bit different after Covid And we talk about industry specific things.

[49:07] The reason why I talk about alcohol. So much is because this is exactly what I'll be doing with cannabis. So in 4 Collins I do the same thing with the cannabis dispensaries and greedy, and for columns people like Smokey for 20, and and and green solutions, and folks like these up up in the in the northern part of the State. We hold meetings every other month to talk about industry, specific things like, for example, why are we getting all these fake ids? Now? That's a great topic. I'm going to be bringing up to my folks here in 4 columns. we talk about things like you know you're you. You had some great examples today, like the cinema that getting the stony cinema, or whatever was called like. That's that's an for a community. And that's why we're here. We want to talk about that and keep the kids saving the community safe as possible and as responsible as possible. So why is that happening? And what action can we take? Or do we take action?

[50:00] on top of that I have personally written and in state, approved? I have my own program. That's the responsibility program called Tender, wise. it's on a short harness right now, just as I've had to rewrite it, and it's getting re re-approved, but it is something that is going to be held monthly again. So I have monthly trainings for tender wise, and you are not required yet to send your employees to these trainings in Colorado. When I started out, I think I was one of like 5 or 6 people who actually did it. Now, there's several more that are available for training, so it wouldn't just be me. But if you can prove to the to the med that you have all of your staff may members trained, they will designate you as a responsible vendor, and that is something that that can, you know, really help them in their case with this state, should they get in trouble, and that is something I would like to bring to the local level where you all might require or suggest that they, the dispensary, or the whatever Industry group member has all of their staff trained and tender, wise for any other

[51:08] responsible vendor training, and if they can so prove that that might just give them a little bit of leeway with you, you know, mitigating benefactor, as we say right? So as long as they've not done anything too negligent. you're gonna take that into consideration that they had all their traffic trained within that 10. I'm sorry. 60 day period. it's actually something I'm moving forward with in the other communities on the alcohol and cannabis side that 60 day, mandate. I've requested Greedy to do it, and for Collins to do it, as I think it's a really highly effective thing. also, I would say, for Collins has a really good standing with their dispensaries. And What's What if any ramifications that have to come through with with employees doing the wrong thing they. They really they really trained very well. They make sure that their staff is trained and has my responsibility, training or somebody else's. Again. I don't just promote mine. as we are a nonprofit. We just want people trained and and knowledgeable. So I didn't really give you a lot of that that manual, just because it is on being

[52:13] being reworked. But it is something that I hold monthly, and I am holding moving forward from now holding monthly in boulder, and I will be promoting to all the dispensaries in boulders. So just so, you know. and I'm sure you guys had a presentation a couple of months ago from the sca the substance education abuse grant and I get funding from them. And I did include that in that package. So you all could see, I'm in a 5 year, Grant, to provide this program. R to the community of Boulder. we were more heavily focused and alcohol at the beginning. But we now really want to push forward with the cannabis side of things, and with your blessing and your support. We would really like to move forward that and grab it with you as many dispensaries and industry members as possible to join us and join what we're trying to do with our code of ethics and our responsibility and keeping it out of the hands of children. And we do when I say that I do consider a 20 year old a child at that. Legally speaking, they are not allowed to consume cannabis legally. So we do want to do that educate college age, people about ramifications of having it. And what happens

[53:23] if you get caught with it and everything like that? And those are things that I offer during trainings as well. we also do something called id compliance checks, which are more effective on the alcohol side. I hire somebody between the ages of 21 and 30, and I just have them go and get Id, and they must be id properly so. They have to be checked. They have to be looked at thoroughly. The the person who has the Id has to hold the id, and really, I mean it's few and far between that I'll ever get a bad check on a dispensary because of the 2 security checks they have to go to, and a lot of the places nowad, have have scanners. and they'll, you know, really good state of the art scanners that, like the police use. So if they're using those and they're using their id guide books. It's very hard to fool them, but it's still nice to have someone go through and and watch your employees and see their process. Are they really holding that id up to that person in front of them? Because my state id right now has a picture of me from when I was 28, and I'm 45, almost.

[54:21] And that's because it Covid. So are you really iding that person in front of you and my person sitting there taking notes. So I have a green check, a yellow check, and a red check. and my yellow check essentially for dispensaries is that if you got a yellow check. It means you're not really thoroughly checking the Id. You're just being lazy and and going through the motions of the scan or something like that. We really want them to be thorough in in their practices, and that is something. I train them as well, and trainings on proper id and things like this. we work really closely with law enforcement. I know officer Pam and I have talked a couple of times, off and on, but I just wasn't ready and ramped up yet, and that's why I really finally approached you. All now is because I've been able to train my assistant to kind of help me with boulder, alcohol side of things, because the next 6 months of my life are going to be really concentrated on grabbing as many dispensary and industry members in Boulder

[55:17] and get them to join R, and what we're doing. And again, that's I hope, I hope and pray with your support. But if not, I still want to get in there and really promote what we're doing because we're doing some great working communities. we've had some proven results of helping dispensaries really go from bad to good when their practices were terrible. And now they're, you know, one of the best dispensaries in Colorado, as far as those practices go. just so, you all know to also for the past I don't even know how many years now, probably at least 5 years I've been on. Go, Governor. Pulses, marijuana, education oversight committee for the State of Colorado. kind of as that voice of reason in the middle. I'm sitting there with people

[56:03] who are super anti cannabis, and I'm just kind of in the middle like, hey? What's your thought process for the kids for advertising. it's nice just to have a voice at the table when C. Dots making a an ad campaign or the call to permanent health is developing something for high schools. It's just nice to know a what's going on beforehand to be having a voice at the table and see just letting my members know that. Hey? We actually do have a voice also. with what's going on in the state and education, as far as that's concerned. because I think both sides can get a little crazy sometimes, you know. and both sides have great points sometimes, and we just all need to come together and be rational and just figure figure things out for the benefit of the kids in our community, and patrons in general, and and the Colorado citizens. The other thing, I added, was something like an alcohol policy. So I also help folks with their licenses. Their alcohol policies off in the bla will say, Hey, What's your policy for getting people home safely, or serving intoxicated folks and a new license? He may not really know all of those things.

[57:09] I, luckily, because I've been doing this for over 8 years. Now I have a lot of knowledge on these things, and I can help them really understand what they're moving into, and how to put their best foot forward and their best face forward for the journey into this, and with cannabis for me. It's even more of a not. The alcohol isn't serious. I think cannabis is just something that is so new. Still, that a lot of folks don't understand the ramifications of what they're doing both socially as well as legally, and that's something we can help provide for them as well as just a wealth of knowledge and contacts. for them to have other than that. Yeah, I don't really have to too much to add to that. I just really want to just press. Oh, I'm sorry also. Just so, you know. my parent company now is a place called Partners. Okay? And partners is a large nonprofit that's been around in Brewfield, really, Denver for Collins for over 40 years. So they adopted me when Team 4 Collins went out of business because they believed in our program. And we've grown since since we've been adopted by them. So I'm really happy to be with them. And they are youth mentoring

[58:15] nonprofit, and we now just rebranded from partners to entering youth to partners because R is a part of that as well. so I don't want to take up too much time, because I can. I could go on forever with what I do. I love my job and what I do, and I'm I'd be more than happy to to answer your questions, but I would just really like to say at the end of the day, like it would be awesome to have your support having the bla support the past 3, 4, 5 years has been amazing. I think, as time has gone on. We've gotten more and more support for them to the point where they're even suggesting not suggesting so much as just asking if folks have joined R are. And if they haven't kind of asking, why not? And I like that, because that means that we're doing good in the community of boulder and surrounding areas. And we've we're being appreciated. We got written on for another 5 years on that grant from the Sca. So that's the other thing. So you know. all the other. Our members pay $350 which is put into trainings and and

[59:17] materials like black lights. And all these things right? Well, Boulder's very fortunate you. The members in Boulder only have to pay 150 a year, because the city and county that Grant covers the rest of their their deuce. So really it's it's it's a no brainer for me to go into a place and just be like, hey, you're just gonna pay 150. You're gonna have this sort of knowledge. You're gonna have these sort of resources. And you're gonna have 3 monthly trainings because they are free. They're included within that plan. Right? they just have to pay for the for the manuals to be printed, which is what $10? But they get 5 free trainings every year, every staff member. After that they pay for the manual. But me coming to them and doing personal trainings and house or monthly trainings. I hold them mostly at the Boulder Library, because it's just a good place to have them in a central location. those will be monthly and religious religiously held.

[60:12] and they can be assured that their their staff are going to be knowledgeable when they leave my doors on on state, not all State laws, but on State regulations that they need to know understanding that we can't play doctor right? And those sorts of things. They shouldn't be telling people that it cures cancer. And this and such, if they're on the wreck side. we also also are moving away from the word recreational, and we prefer adult use to recreational because recreational promotes fun like I go to the recreational center with my boys to go swimming. So we're kind of been really pushing people to stop saying, rec and start saying adult use, because that's what it is. It's adult use if unless it's met, and and just so, you know to I don't really mess with the medical side of things. I'm happy to to, to discuss them, and to to do what's necessary. But we feel that's between a a physician and their patient. but we don't want buttenders pretending like their doctors are acting like doctors, and that is something we do promote.

[61:12] so sorry like, I said, I can go on forever. So if you have any questions. Please let me know today or in the near future, and I would really love your supports your backing, if anything else. And also just so you know it is required that I do go to the majority of the bla hearings like this one. I would attend all of these that I could. I you know sometimes I have some personal things going on that I can't. I can't change, or a vacation, or something like this, but other than that. I try to be at every single one of these hearings, just to to listen in and be a voice and report, and I do reports on members and such like that. Thank you, Nathan, and questions for Nathan.

[62:03] Well, I'll start things off. Oh, Rob, you go ahead. Okay, thank you. Chair. I just appreciate the presentation, Nathan, and if you covered this I apologize. But 2 questions, one. How many people, how many life? I guess I have 3 questions, how many licenses are currently members of our er that $150 a year. Is that just per license? And then, are you? Do you have a specific ask for cloud other than you know? Support that we would provide some support. You said that the bla has supported by asking people, are you an AR member? And if you're not, why not? But we're not doing the hearings just yet, so I don't know if you're wanting a a letter of some sort or, Yeah, that's great. Robin. so we have 12 license establishments like I said I I I I just didn't want to get into Boulder too much before talking with you all. I just wanted to let you know what I was and who I am. so that you can understand before I move forward. But like, I said, I've I've talked to some places in the past. both industry members like green dot labs and the farm and things like this just to kind of get the feelers on on how they would do it. So we only have 12 right now, but that's again only because

[63:27] there's limited licenses you can only have like 11 in 4 calls, I think, right now, and really has a limit and and such. So It would be more, I'm sure, if we could have more up here we would, and I would get them to join. It's it's pretty much been a no brainer on that side of things. And as far as your support. Really, it just be nice to go in and say, Hey. r is You know, you guys are aware of us. for maybe lack of a better terminology. We're we're working together because I would like us. We're cooperating something like this collaborating because I would love to to be able to help you with some of the issues. Like, literally, there are things that we can't get into today. But you all have already talked about that I I feel I could

[64:12] wax some knowledge on and help you out with, and if not, I know resources where to get those answers, and how to get those answers, or going to the dispensaries myself, and saying, Hey. how did you get this? Many ids when you haven't collected a single id in 3 years? Whatever it is right. so I guess in that sense it's just like once you do have hearings, and you do have that kind of license control. It is nice for them to know that they have a resource to help them out and make sure they're doing the right thing in the community. And I think that's the bla thing like I never asked the Bla to ask them. It's just something the the Board does on on their own. I would not ask for that kind of thing, but I do. I appreciate it. Of course I appreciate it. And it's gotten us business and it. And honestly, I'm telling you a lot of the people that that they've said, Hey, do you know of, or have you worked with? Are those are the people that have needed us the most? There's a few times when there's a person who's like I've been doing this 40 years. I know what's going on. Blah! Blah! Blah! I get it. That's great.

[65:09] But there's some people who are green, you know. It's their first business. It's their first bar. It's their first restaurant, and they didn't know X, Y and Z. And I can provide X, y, and Z. So I guess for me, it's just like them knowing that C lab knows we're here. that you appreciate the work we're doing and or understand the work we're doing. that's just the start, right? You know. so. And and I think the work you all do is super important after reviewing what the bla does. Because you know, and a lot of the other communities, it's a judge I work with, or, you know, offense. Christian. A clerk, someone like that? Right? So it's a little bit different working with a group of people right like yourselves, because you all have your own individual thought, your own individual experiences that are going to lead into that those licensing hearings and things like that and your own and your own professional experiences, and that's something where I again, I can just be a resource to you all behind the scenes, or right there at the hearing. Sometimes I'm called on at the hearings for the Bla or sometimes I just report on things in the community like, Hey.

[66:16] okay, you know. one of the members did this, or one of the members had this issue, and we've been able to clear it up just to show you guys on the other end that, hey? This member that you cited for, you know, doing something incorrectly. I went in there, help them with it, and they've turned themselves around that kind of thing. So it's also a resource for you to use for someone who who you may want to help out. You feel like, Oh, we want to give this person another chance, and maybe, Nathan do, we can go in and help them with are that kind of thing. So I guess that's that's the extent of that for now right other it Robin, did you get here? Questions? All okay. Other questions.

[67:05] Alright. So I'm gonna go ahead. And I I have a few see if I can remember all of them. So the limiting factors as to why people might not be involved with you is number one money. although that's augmented. And is it just Boulder City of Boulder County, or older city in County, or it's I mean, I'll be boulders. It's Boulder City I mean the main focus, Fuller City, but it is Boulder County as well, and so I'll be. I mean, we had. We have a member in Grun barrel, and then Longmont, I'm going to go approach people and long one as well. And just so, you all know to I'm born and raised Longmont. So Boulder's like second home to me, where I got all my drugs in high school, so I mean like not to laugh. But it truly is. And that's just another thing where I I don't want my kids going to boulder and getting their drugs from there. You know what I mean. So it's another thing just to reinforce a responsibility. There. If someone does have an issue paying

[68:01] you know, between all of us in the long run, I would rather them be a member than not join because they can't pay. So we have payment plans, and we can sometime work some things out with them so that it's more affordable. definitely. Obviously, I can't take everyone on for free. But I don't think everybody would want to be. But if I have somebody who's really strapped for that 150 for a year, I mean, I can spread it out if they need to, or we can let it go for one year. I mean to be quite honest. We let all the dues go for all the alcohol members during Covid and the year after Covid, because people were struggling so much. which did make us struggle. Because we are a nonprofit, you know. But, thanks to the sea grants we we kept Boulder. Really strong and bold is the place where I I lost the least amount of members during that time. So there's ways around that, Tom. So. Another kind of tangential question is in some municipalities, and also maybe in boulder. With respect to the alcohol, issue.

[69:08] our our licenses, or whatever whatever we want to call them. Our business is required to have have gone through. are they are? Or is that that? That? That? That point or so? Yeah, no, no, nobody is required. But like I said the the bla recently. and I I know maybe Kristen can speak more on that. But the bla in the in the past. I don't know what 6, 7 months, maybe a little bit longer. Now time's been going, come fast prior to that. It was like a 90 day limit where they said they had to be responsibly trained in tips. Right? And I provide that essentially for free, because it's $50 a head 50 to 60 bucks ahead of private tips. Teacher comes in. Instructor comes into Boulder or is in boulder, and he's charging or she's charging. They're charging 50, 60 bucks ahead. Okay, I come into town. You pay me 150. I give you 5 free trainings. That's a hundred dollar value right there, because I charge you $20 per manual, because that's the cost of the manual, and I'm a nonprofit. Right?

[70:13] but the trainings free. My hours are free, because that's paid by the nonprofit. Okay? So the only requirement now in in folders my understanding is a 60 day re limit where within 60 days they have to have a tips training for their staff to work. Now on the marijuana side of things. All I can can can seem to see is the Me. D. Is saying that if you take the time and responsibility to get all your folks trained, and you can prove that they have had this training. Like I offer a certificate for tender, wise they will mark you as a responsible vendor. So that's where I was like at first when I heard, like all your mandated and bolder to do it. That's kind of weird. Now I'm totally for it, like I've changed my thought of mine. I'm pushing for columns and Greenly to do the same thing, and I wish the Med would honestly do the same thing with their buttenders, because someone like myself or the other trainers who do responsible vendor training for marijuana. We we have a curriculum. We have to follow through the State.

[71:19] So the States telling us to follow their curriculum for our manuals, and if we go into their dispensary, and we train all their folks, those that dispensary will be viewed as a responsible dispensary, and should they get an infraction or something, and it's not too negligent. Obviously, that that will be a mitigating benefactor. So really, that's what I'm kind of asking for to eventually with you all. If you get into the licensing and such like. Consider doing what the bla does in that sense. Where you say, hey, we need your folks, even if it's just boulder, and it's not the State of Colorado we need your folks trained whether it's by me or another Buttender trainer. It doesn't matter, but we need proof that this person has taken the State curriculum required by the Me. D.

[72:08] If they are going to be selling, or, you know, working with with marijuana. Does that make sense, Tom? So like nobody's really adopted it. That's what I'm pushing, I saw, but both Kristen's unmuted for a moment. Did you want to say anything? I I I noticed your little red thing went off. So did you want to comment? It's okay, you know. I I don't have anything to add unless anyone has any questions about our current practice for responsible vendor training for the bla and liquor licenses. Okay? So then I'll I'll use that as a segue to. I don't know if you've got a chance to review our packet from today. But we're gonna have the presentation following you probably after our break is the folks who

[73:00] looked at. I did a meta analysis of the Canada, the concentrates. And I I guess my overall question is that, are you? Are you staying current on that. Are you collaborating with folks at the State level? And how will you incorporate new information? I guess. Especially. I don't want to steal anyone's thunder because they'll they'll talk. No, no, you're fine. So I yeah, like, I said, I'm I'm on Governor. I'm on the governor's at me. I they called it the Me Off Committee, which is the Marijuana Education Oversight Committee. So we get a lot of information that way. I work with the Caller Department of health. So I get my information that way as well, and I and we do work with the Md. As well. I try to stay abreast of the concentrations and the things like that. CD, ph, she wants to kind of put out there. like, for example, Tom in the past Cdp. She approached me during one of the meok meetings, and we collaborated in a way to really push out the knowledge about breastfeeding and and thc.

[74:06] because it's not like you're. It's not like with alcohol, right? It stays in the body. And so what I was able to do is make these little pamphlets that went out with every single sale, at every dispensary. And it's not them playing, doctor. It was just. It was provided to me by the CD. Ph. I helped collaborate it, and did a little graphic design on it, and then all of my members for 6 months straight with every single sale, was putting that out there. So, for example. let's say you wanted something, or or the State or Cdp. She wanted something out like the dangers of really high concentrates of of of Thc right. my members, even though they're selling it. A lot of them would put out information that is possibly even going against their sales, because they especially if it's youth oriented and things like this. because they want to. They really do the members up here in 4 months. They really want to promote their responsibility. They don't want to hurt their patrons. They don't want to hurt kids. They don't want to promote anything that's too negligent, and a lot of the places that don't join are

[75:13] are the places that that do want to promote those things? If that for you know, lesser for a better. I don't have a better way of saying that the people who are shady aren't going to join, or let's put it that way, but those are also the people that I go after and say, Hey, you need to join are right because you're seen as being shady, and that's not good. And you're gonna get in trouble, or you're gonna get one of your employees trouble, or you're gonna kill one of your patrons. or whatever it might be, to be the extreme right. so yes, I do. I do try to keep up on all of it as much as possible. I have to redo my my vendor training every 2 years. just like the just like the buttenders need to recertify. Every 2 years I have to put my program up for you certification every 2 years. and I do like, okay,

[76:01] The couple of months ago, when when we talked about about the overuse of marijuana, and how people can become ill, violently ill. You know what happened after that I made pamphlets, and I had people put that information out to their customers, because there's tons of people who may be using marijuana, but are getting sick from it, and they don't know it. They think they're they think they're trying to cure that nausea, when, in fact, they're only reinforcing that. Not right? So that's the kind of thing where we just try to generally educate folks and our members, you know. Let's just say 9 out of 10 of them are on board all the time with wanting to do that. Well, a very specific. ask Because we had this discussion when we were talking about cannabis. People drive. Are people getting home from those institution or those places? And I notice in your. It's in our packet. Page 24. It's in your membership benefits. You have special code slash discounts to Z trip to Uber and other local transportation companies. Is that

[77:09] I'm assuming? That's obviously for alcohol. But it's not for everybody. No, it's for it's for for for cannabis. What sort of discounts does one get well like the Uber, only they they only gave only, but they gave us. They give us like a pre first ride z trip gives like $5 off a ride. These sorts of things, and it changes. The promotions change from time to time, and they'll give us seasonal like during Christmas. And stuff, we get like 10% off the ride, 20 off the ride it it it changes all the time. And it. Just what can they do? What can they offer us? But just so, you know to Tom, because you just brought something up to me. like, I said, I. I work with seed on. And actually, we're part of a campaign right now in Northern Colorado, called no dy Colorado.

[78:00] And what that is is a drunk and drug driving campaign to teach people to make the call to 9 1 one right? so that's the kind of things. That's kind of actions we take as well. We helped inform people in for Collins that all these signs that say you can't park overnight. Are you going to get toed? Well, a lot of the signs were false. and it's been that way since I went to school there 20 years ago, and one of my friends got a Dui because he didn't want to leave his truck overnight in one of those spots. So we've actually made maps and you can go online now, and you can see where you can safely park your car. And that's for everybody. It's not just for alcohol or ours, not just alcohol focus. We used to be responsible Alcohol Association, but when we Incorporated cannabis I changed the acronym to a responsible association of retailers. and that's because cannabis has the same thing. I mean, like, you take a 97% dab or pen, and you're just as messed up as if you you drank a bit. You know what I mean quite a bit. You you should not be operating a motor vehicle and the other thing, Tom. Just so you know what I'm doing up north right now. be like, my main thing is you you are not better driving high

[79:11] drugs. Driving is a problem. Okay, like me growing up in the back streets of Boulder County and Longmont. I used to drive smoke in a joint because my friends were wasted, and I could drive really well, high, right? Well, I know now, after tests, after driving simulators, and and we just got federally authorized to do what wet labs where they get people drunk and drive on close courses. They actually were able to get people high, different ways and have them physically drive. And let me tell you. nobody is better driving high, and that's the kind of information we're disseminating right now in Northern Colorado, and that's the kind of information I will be disseminating through the same campaign with No. Dui, Colorado into Boulder County as well. So right now it's in Weldon, Laramer County, Boulder County should be next

[80:00] okay. Any other questions for Nathan. Okay? well, once again, thanks again. And thanks for doing what you're doing. We appreciate it. I think we all do and I think we shall move on in the agenda, though great. Well, thank you all very much for your time, and please feel free to reach out to me at any time, if you have any questions, and I'll be in Boulder a lot these next 6 months, so I'd be happy to meet any of you in person for coffee or or whatnot. My treat? Let me know. Okay, I'm not sure. I'm not sure we can accept that. I know you. Oh, maybe you can't. Sorry so. But you pay for yours. I'll pay for mine, but we can have a conversation. but if they like you treating, or or that'd be like lobbying. I'm not a lobbyist. I'm just a prevention specialist. But thanks a lot. Thanks for the offer.

[81:01] okay, so it's 4 24 Jonathan and our megan. Do you want to weigh in? Because it's gonna we. We usually take a break around 5, but it but it can be usually well short of that. So the question is, we'd rather have us take a break and have our full attention undivided attention when we're going to go to the bathroom or whatever. Yeah, this is, John. I'm sorry I'm actually on the east coast, and I'm gonna run out of time. That would be okay, and we appreciate the the fact that you've come on with us, though. Okay, great. And actually, Megan will show some slides, and I'll dash through. a huge body of work that our team has been doing. and then point you towards the resources where you can find out more about it. And let's see Kristen, our colleague Ashley Brooks. Russell, is among the participants. If she could be promoted to a participant, a panelists of the good. Great thanks. I see Ashley's on.

[82:16] Yeah. Let's see, Megan, I think, is going to share screen here. Yes, give me 1 s, and I'll have it pulled up. I'm on my phone instead of my computer. It's as easy as it looks. Salmon. Okay, I just want to say it wrong. Yeah, no, sure. Sure. Sure. And I'll get started while this is coming up with some. I'm going to log in via my computer. So you might need to. promote me again. Okay, and I'll I'll go ahead and get started. And actually, I will say, by the way, I am a bolder resident and

[83:01] so particularly interested in in this, and pleased to have the opportunity to present. So we've been working a fairly large team, as I'll show you. with funding from the Legislature under House Bill 1, 3, 1, 7, which was passed, and 21 that covered high potency. marijuana, and concentrates, and part of the mandate in that was for the School of Public Health to do a number of tasks under the direction of the Dean of the school, and I held the title of Dean until August one, and so I'm now Happily, the former Dean of the Colorado School of Public Health, but continuing to lead this effort among the things that we were mandated to, the 2 principles were to do, a systematic review of the evidence related to high concentration hypothesis, marijuana, and concentrates, and also then based on what we learned to put together an educational campaign for the

[84:05] State. And at this point we've completed a massive system of scoping review, which means a broad look at all the evidence that's available. and our team is building the foundation and to develop a set of statewide campaigns that would reach to the many different groups that might might consider use of this range of products. So let's see, Megan, how are you doing on sharing Kristen, could you enable sharing? Let's see, we'll get there. So as you'll see when we get to the yeah, I'm getting

[85:01] a little pop up that says it's disabled, so I might need you to do it on your side. One moment. Okay, thanks. Okay. There we go. So I think, I've already taking you to. So we can go to. yeah, great thanks, and continue on. So this is, of course, the bill, and the next one is our tasks under the bill. and that was to conduct this a systematic review, and we'll tell you about what we've done. Identify gaps in needed research. established a scientific review council with 11 members, the members being specified in the bill and produce a public education campaign. So continuing on it takes a large team to do this. This is our scientific

[86:06] review council members who were mandated. And they've been very helpful in guiding us and providing a broad range of, input as you can see based on their disciplinary backgrounds. Chris or Vina. Our chair was a former CD. Phd. Director, and somebody who's been in public health in Colorado for several decades next. So just to go through some of the things that we have done the House Bill 21, 1, 3, 1, 7 was passed back with the 2, 2, one legislative session, and we quickly moved into doing the work that we were mandated. as you'll see. We took on an enormous task with the report, which was not delivered within a year, but delivered about 7 or 8 months

[87:01] into in after the year. We are the developing, the as I mentioned the back campaign, and I'll take you there, and we've gone on to a number of different reviews next. So in terms of what we've done is completed this scoping review, and we'll tell you how to access it. we have publications that have gone off to the scientific literature. We are proceeding with a review focused on the mental health outcomes and the effects of these products. on certain adverse consequences. And as I mentioned that working on the educational campaign next. so you can find everything. And and Kristen has the slide, so you'll have access to this. But we have a website that includes all our reports, the meetings, the scientific view counsel, our presentation materials. And importantly, you can access the actual scoping review itself and sort through the many scientific publications from which we've abstracted. the results. I would urge you to

[88:19] go there. If you want to find out more about the project, because I'm having to skip widely over the surface just because of its scope next. So just to say what we did and go on to the next one in terms of the review. This is some of the language of the act. And this focus on the what they actually use the words high potency for us. That means more specifically high concentration. And there's not an an agreed to definition of what high concentration may is. So we've cast a net pretty widely in doing our review and for those of you, not in the systematic review business. It means that you're going to in an open, transparent way, go out and find all the evidence relevant to the question that you want to address next.

[89:14] So our our approach to this was a so-called scoping review, and what that means is, we cast a very wide net and said, what can we find that's relevant to questions about effects of the high potency products and the specification from the legislature was not to focus on either adverse or beneficial. So we captured literature that addressed both, we have a published Protocol, and the methods are available, and as you'll see the core findings are in a systematic review. You plunge deeper into a specific topic. And that's what we're doing now on the mental health outcomes. We have the next.

[90:00] So, as I mentioned already, there's not a widely accepted definition, and what we did was, we either relied on reports of concentration defined in some way within the scientific reports we looked at, or based on the nature of some product that was particularly mentioned, there would have a higher concentrations, and resins others or uses dabbing that would indicate a contact exposure to a higher potency project product. And as I'll tell you at the end, and it's obviously those of you looked at the scientific literature. There's no standardization of how exposure is characterized and what products people are using which is a complication and a limitation next. So the research questions are here. As I stated, we had this broad look at studies that would provide us some information on the relationship of high concentration cannabis products with outcomes.

[91:04] And we also looked at case series that provided information next. So the methods are here. We did this massive review, and I'll show you the large number of articles we've seen on the next slide. We ended up extracting data from those. yeah, you can go to the next, and we'll flip back and forth a little bit, maybe Kristen. So if you go to the next one. You'll see we screened over 60,000 references in the end to come up with 452, from which we actually extracted the data. So this was a large project involving a substantial staff and students to screen through these articles to identify those that were relevant. If you go back one

[92:01] we identified 4 policy related questions that I'm going to show you that we use the scoping review to say how much evidence there was. And the scoping review produces what's called an evidence map. Essentially, we have a tool that allows us or others. We make this publicly available to screen through what the studies are there in this review goes to November of last year. Sorry in the next. So this, just again, was the enormous number of studies. Then if you go, one more slide. Thanks. Then there's the evidence map, and it's fairly easy to navigate it. So if you're interested in how many studies are on sleep or driving a performance, for example, those can be identified. And again, the QR code or our cannabis policy project can be looked at at the schools website to find this evidence map next

[93:08] and then we've gone from there. We have this review I mentioned on mental health outcomes, and we're doing 2 further reviews in support of the educational campaign to look at what we know about mass media behavioral interventions. We have a behavioral sciences group looking at this and then looking at the more sort of contemporary methods of you know, tik tok and social media in terms of outreach, because clearly an educational campaign no longer is something based around conventional media. Next. So the I think we can skip these next couple. This is just about the mental health outcome studies. And you can see we're screening now a large number 59 randomized trials and 97 epidemiological studies. And then we have these 2 other reviews in progress. And we can skip the next 2 slides.

[94:03] Okay? And then we can go on out of the results and skip this one. So the let me go to the review findings. And you know, just a reminder that we are following the mandate of Hb. 1, 3, 1, 7 around high potency product. So this was not a broad review of all knowledge there is on the health effects of cannabis. So you know, there have been other systematic reviews. The National Academies did a review in 2,017 Cdc, of course, National Institute for Drug abuse have information available. So just a we understand, there's a very broad literature. Our search was focused down around the questions that I mentioned to the next one. So I'm going to go through And and we we evaluated the scope of evidence basically by the number of relevant studies available. And as you'll see, when we get to the 4 policy questions, the evidence was generally

[95:12] quite limited. The number of studies available, and some of that reflects simply the limitations of the scientific literature, and then recall, of course, that these higher concentration products or newer in the marketplace. So there's still a relatively sparse and emerging scientific literature. I'm just, for example, I think one of the earliest studies in the database is 1,971, when people were interested in the respiratory effects of smoking joints. you know, sort of now products that are probably around 3% flower in the in terms of Thc concentration. next. So this is the first 3 policy questions. And these are questions that we developed. We refuse them with our scientific review

[96:04] council. And you know again, here's policy questions or adolescents and young adults, especially susceptible to adverse effects. and a very limited amount of a data, as you can see for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions especially susceptible. And again, limited data, some on adverse consequences and someone potentially beneficial consequences. one of our Scientific View Council members was particularly interested in question 3. And again, not to minimize the importance of the question. It just turns out that in terms of the high concentration products we don't yet have information on effects on pregnancy and pregnancy outcome for question 4. There's a more robust literature to go the next slide. And here you can see

[97:00] a range of outcome. So if you go to the evidence map, you'll find that there are many different health outcomes that have been studied. and they relate to neurologic pain, relief. Of course, mental health sleep. We looked at driving impairment and other adverse effects. And again, you can see the number of studies here, with the mental health outcomes standing out for the amount of information available. And again, with sufficient information, we believe, for us to do this more detailed systematic review that we are now involved involved in. Next. I I think, one issue. Here we put this slide together, this to sort of show the multiplicity of factors that influence the T. H. C. Do in the middle. reaching receptors in the brain and the health outcomes, and I I think, from the point of view of looking at this, we are focused

[98:02] in this review down in that lower left box where you can see our concentration measures. and in terms of addressing questions where the legislature might be able to address The consequences of use through regulation concentration is one of the factors, and of course there are many other factors that in the end will determine what health outcomes occur. And of course there's a lot of individualization about this, too, in terms of who people are, what underlying health conditions they may have. and more. So there's a lot of complex. And then we address this in our in our report. So we go to the next. So This slide is come straight from the report. It has a lot of information on it. and I would say, up front.

[99:00] this is a a, a body of literature that is, suffers from methodological limitations. It suffers from having not so many studies right now applicable to the current marketplace, because we always lag and looking at the products that are in the marketplace. Because research takes time. There's other methodological limitations. And I I think one key point I want to make is that the fact that there's not good evidence, or even no evidence. does not speak to safety. So absence of evidence, again, should not be interpreted as implying that there is either no risk nor no benefit. It simply means we don't have knowledge. And there's there's a great deal of uncertainty. And one one of the activities that we intend to undertake is to try and make the scientific literature better. we intend to convene a meeting of people are working in this field to say, we've got to do a better

[100:00] job. you know, for example, there's no standardized way to take a history of use of cannabis products. And you can imagine the current marketplace with so many different it's available to do research and try and understand even what people are using takes a a great deal of effort. So the the most evidence was there for mental and behavioral health outcomes at some point in the possible benefits and some pointing to possible adverse effects. And again, some literature on those with pre-existing mental health conditions. So we intend to. complete that systematic review. We, are hopeful that we will continue to track the literature. The resource we build is substantial. There's nothing like it. available. And we hope that this will be maintained to track the literature as perhaps it becomes

[101:01] more more of mature I. And we'll come back to sort of future activities and what we might do if I can just go to the next. Just talk a little bit about the education, health, promotion work which has been under underdeveloped now for almost a year. If we go to the next and a lot of the effort there has been directed at understanding how to produce not one, but a series of public health education campaigns that will reach the right target groups in the right way across the state. And to that end we've been doing a lot of work with different communities in the State if we can have the next the we have the reviews in progress on methods that I've mentioned. We have community advisory groups that have

[102:01] had meetings and worked with excuse me 1 s deal with one quick thing. Okay? then have gotten input from various groups, and we'll talk about what some of them are in the next slides. We want to get the key messages for the right groups. And we've had a lot of input from different groups prior to groups identified next. And we have done work with advisors, both youth and adult advisors. and they have helped us in identifying key questions and bringing a community members in for discussions next these are the

[103:02] nature of the representatives from different groups who we have reached out to across at least the eastern side of the state for now you can see the different communities we've reached to next. And we've had a number of different members of our team involved in doing these workshops next. and talked about the different kinds of methods to use and what might work. And there's been a great deal of discussion about a particularly newer ways to reach people, and we've had guidance on the approaches next. let's see, continue on. Sorry. And the we've had suggestions for toolkits for pop up events, for a wide variety of different possibilities. These are, the range of geographic to communities that we have reached to next.

[104:14] And for example, the use of youth advisors. talking about focusing more broadly on use mental health and not trying to isolate cannabis from other things that may affect Use mental health. Your mentoring again pop ups and the social media, of of course. and next from the adult side toolkits for adults to talk to their kids, train the trainer models, social media influencers and focusing again on you. So we're now at the point where we're going to work on designing and piloting

[105:00] these campaigns next. I think we're just sort of at the end I recognize I've dashed through a lot. Now I hope that you'll find the resources that I've pointed to available, and certainly I'd be happy to come back with our team to answer questions. And I will say, sort of in the immediate thing. We are as researchers concerned with the quality of the research. We're putting together a paper right now on the problems we've encountered. Plan to do a workshop on how to do better research. We'll be moving forward with the piloting of the educational campaigns and completion of these other reviews. And so a lot of work done by a very large team. So I I think that' be happy to answer questions, and I don't know if my colleague Ashley Brooks Russell, would like to

[106:01] add in anything actually has been involved from the outset with the project. not nothing to add, but happy to chime in and help. I answer questions. Right? Questions. Go ahead, Michael Jonathan. Thanks for the presentation. Can you hear me? Okay, yes, I can. Back on Slide 29. You had where you sort of broke down the the the studies, and it is said, with respect to either policy to, or policy for question or question, for that there was a moderate amount of evidence that supported the adverse effects of high potency. Thc. But then the other entry said that there was a moderate amount of evidence that supported the beneficial effects. How do you? How does your agency reconcile that difference? Right? So I'll correct. We're not the agency. But you know so couple of couple of comments, I mean, we were sort of given a instructions for a review. There was not directed to the effects one way or the other. So

[107:15] one first point is that it is in this area that we are doing this deeper systematic review that will involve a a more critical assessment of these studies, and I I think you know, in terms of getting it your question, which I think sort of heads, and what would be the policy outcome of seeing the facts sort of one way and the other way. What do you do? I think? I I think at the point where we've done that deeper dive, the full systematic Review. We'll have the evidence available that would allow would be better. I I think, better articulated for decision making. I mean, I think decision makers here

[108:00] have. There's a problem that's not unfamiliar when the scientific evidence is uncertain. What do you do? And I think it's at that point that those who are making decisions have to decide, for example, whether pre precautionary approaches are what should be taken certainly with youth. That is generally the direction that people follow in. In setting policies on this particular set of health outcomes, we will have, I think, a clearer answer, a clear foundation for decision making probably within about 2 months. My colleague, are you? Are you? Good with that? Okay, Robin? Thanks, Dr. Salmon. I appreciate the presentation. And I just wonder about ongoing stuff. There was a really large study that came out in May. I was a a epidemiological investigation, a Danish one that looked at 6.9 million people and said that about 30% of schizophrenia diagnoses could have been avoided if people hadn't developed a cannabis misuse to sort.

[109:11] And first of all, I wonder if a study like that would have been within your realm because it wasn't looking specifically, it concentrates. And, secondly, how do? How does the work of your group, which is really impressive? How do you continue to look at emerging data? Because sorry. Go ahead. Thank you. Well, I I I think so, you know. First of all, thanks. I'll have to go look for the study and the the Danish, and that you know, all the Scandinavian countries do this remarkably large studies because I can link everybody in the country and and do database linkage, which, unfortunately, we can't do in the Us. but that, in fact, unless they had product information would be a study that wouldn't come within the net that we cast so that would not

[110:02] fit. I mean, I I think, The the challenge here on this sort of newer marketplace is to try and be able as quickly as possible to understand what the kind of health consequences are and the the challenges. If we do an epidemiological study, you know, start now, collect information about people and watch over time and publish a paper. It takes a long time. and sometimes I mean, I've been through this in many other arenas by the time the information every come by it comes out and says, Well, that was 5 years ago products. And so I think that's part of our sort of concern about methods. And how do we do this? I I I'll just digress a moment. I've spent a lot of my life working on tobacco. and we have face a similar challenge now with a very diverse tobacco products out in the marketplace, where they change quickly. And we identify that. Let's say we have an epidemic of jewel use. start to study it. And suddenly the marketplace has moved on to something else. So there's a there's a challenge here that we have to address to be able to get the best information.

[111:16] Folks like you have to make decisions. But I add to that there are some resources that weren't, you know, developed with quite such rigorous methods. But or you know, our State Health Department of has done and and is, you know, conducting, ongoing or review of the literature. And so, if there's interest in the the degree of evidence and kind of similar statements of public health implications with moderate, limited and strong evidence Cdpg has resources in that area that are more current than the it's to to medicine report. That would be the really the only other resource I know about that that compiles all the evidence in that way. So they would. They would no doubt be looking at that Danish study if they haven't already, and be updating their their statements to reflect. You know increasing evidence pointing towards that outcome.

[112:10] Robin. and one other question. Thank you for that. Is there a place where we can see the messages that you're developing like? Is that? Is there a place on your website that has that in terms of the public Health campaign. So probably the best place right now would be the website and our last meeting. So our team, the team doing the work has done the ground work. Now, the next step, in fact, is to develop exactly those messages. They will be aired. Our scientific Review Council meetings are all open. They're announced 2 weeks in advance. The Scientific Review Council has to approve the campaign. and so these will all be aired publicly at the Scientific Review Council.

[113:01] meetings. and probably the next one will be. We had one just about a 2 weeks ago, and probably the next one will be, I'll say, within 2 months. Okay. awesome. I just had a follow up question to that about the the materials and the campaign. So if the next meeting is in the next 2 months or so, and everything goes well. When do you anticipate that those that campaign and those messages would be out in the community. So I would see. You know there's in the end we're going to need to develop the messages. pilot them and then turn to, I think, different vendors who can have the reach and to run the different campaigns, and you know, get my hope is that we will do the message. Development the pilots, and be ready and ready to get going by some point in spring. late spring, perhaps of

[114:09] 2,024. I think that's some realistic timeframe in terms of trying to really do all the basic groundwork to assure that the campaigns will be effective. Wonderful. Thank you so much. And thanks for all your work in this presentation today. Other questions. Stacy. I know you're just dying to ask a question. I don't have a question. I think it's great work. I'm amazed with what's happening and the focus of it. It's just frustrating that there is so little evidence. And at this point, with the way things are federally, it's going to remain that way. And it it just makes no sense.

[115:02] You had to use this research marijuana from the university. 3 thc, it's too relevant to what we're dealing with. So yeah, it's really kind of a silly situation that makes no sense. And yet we're stuck in it. So I appreciate that you guys are doing what you can with like a dirt floor situation, so to speak. And somebody needs to. And hopefully, when the Federal system maybe one day catches up. it'll at least you'll have the infrastructure created like you've been working on, and then it can just flow from there. So that's my hope, anyway. But thank you for the work you do. Thank you. So I, too, would like to echo everybody's thanks for

[116:00] doing everything you've done so far, and we look forward to much more. I hope that will come down the pipeline. I'm going to go back to Michael's question about the the conclusions on page 29, and the difference between you know the 2 paragraphs, the policy question for and the policy question, too, and I'm sure this is something that you or you. You just alluded to that that you wrestled with, that you know them. There's not enough evidence. now, fortunately, I know we're in the State of Colorado. We do have We've had, you know, marijuana legalized for a while, and We also have some of the Probably the the biggest concentration of marijuana research is in the United States at University of Colorado. Boulder and I just happened to chair the Institutional Review Board also. and you know I I see that Kent was on your your panel, and and Ken was always good at

[117:06] and in the research I know he he's moved down to Andrew now, of course, but he was always good at lasting a broad net which sometimes included genetics, or, you know, getting genotypes and So one thing I was wondering about, and and this is going to be pure conjecture for you. But you know the the the 2 contrasting paragraphs. Do you think that some of that has to do with persons individual genet genotypes, or even the or the cannabis genotypes, and how they interact with the person's genotypes. And I'm going to go on on a lim here. If I haven't already gone out to the point of breaking a limb. But there's some recent research out of Northwestern which is not as big as the you know the was a Danish study, or whatever, but you know, 1,000 study of a thousand adults, and it looked at

[118:01] Gina, or epigenetic changes. And I just I I you know I feel free to expound. I know you know I so my come out. I'm not gonna go out on the limb with you. and I I think it's fair to say, look, new science is gonna bring us some new insights, let's hope. And you. But you know, doing I I mean, you know. Let's just take the epigenome, which you know everybody's been very hopeful will be a great give us great insight into what we're exposed to across our lifespans. And you know, maybe we'll get there. But to do, you know, and maybe some of the kinds of cohorts that are being put together may provide answers. But if you look at where Nih is making big investments right now, they all of us cohort for those of you don't know. This is a million people that I I just hoping to put together, that do the kinds of studies with the genome and the so called epigenome.

[119:06] That's not gonna have much information about cannabis, I suspect, and you know it to to build the right studies and the right populations, you know, it goes back to what we want to do, which is, say, how do we do a better job of answering questions? I mean, we have an important public health problem, and we have. It's getting bigger, more and more states there, of course. Oh, you know legalizing. I'm not going to use the word recreation, whatever we're calling it at the moment. And so we've got a big challenge. as we as researchers to address and build a scientific foundation that you know you need, and every everybody else taking on a similar responsibility for doing the right thing needs so. But I hope we start doing a better job on generating the evidence it's needed. Yeah, some, I mean, I guess one common is to try to cast a wide enough net

[120:03] that when they're doing or when they're planning this study is to I don't ask ask enough questions. It's kind of like the twin studies that go back, you know, decades. Now. they asked enough questions to that. We can gather information now, decades later. Yeah, they have those resources. And you know, one of the good things or the the great things is that that people are starting to do a double, blinded, controlled studies on different strains of cannabis and their effects. And I mean, that's something that would it be an unheard of, you know, 5 to 10 years ago. and and I applaud those that are trying to lead. you know. Good science, I guess. So. Anyway, Stacy. yeah, I think what Dr. Sam said earlier was key and something that we can kind of do even with, you know, the situation being restricted as it is to

[121:06] create an infrastructure that collect data because we don't even really have that yet. Right? I mean, there's so many products. There's new products to the market every day. It's like how you, even even if my practice where I hear about this stuff regularly. I hear about new stuff often. I'm like, Oh, like, I haven't even heard of that. And so collecting data in itself is already, you know, like a great starting point, like, how do we do that? And The earlier speaker, you know, sounded like a a great resource for getting that on the ground work done. And so it's just kind of in my mind. Now, you know, I'm wondering, how do you connect the dots. Because if we're able to get in and educate and dispensers this and that, is there a way to somehow get in there and also find a common method of data collection that we can then hopefully, when they use for research. So

[122:04] I, it seems like there are places to begin that are within reach that we could then use in other senses to, because, you know, from all aspects, it would be helpful to have that data, not just looking at cannabis research specifically, but for other industry measures, even licensing. So I mean, that's all information that would be really handy to be able to manage in a objective and consistent way between parties, between agencies, etc. So it seems like that could be somewhere we could focus. So start, you know, as opposed to just saying, you know, throwing our hands up and saying, Well, you know, until something changes on the Federal level, we're stuck any comments, or shall I go on the robin. And just another comment, Dr. Sam. It you know those of us who've had a loved one who's experienced a devastating health outcome feel this enormous frustration that these products are out there, and we're still waiting on the the research. We feel like it should be the other way around. And, like

[123:17] my person had cannabis, hyper, emmesis syndrome, and that was devastating. And we had a panel on that last week, and we learned that there's still not a hospital code to track that in Colorado. So it yes, to Dr. Green's point, there's definitely a problem. There's not the Federal legislation. But in Colorado we should at least be tracking. What's happening in the er yeah. And we no, I totally agree. I mean, I. And we need. I mean, what we really need is a surveillance system that's robust enough to capture. you know, things like the hyper emissions syndrome that are specific enough, that are sort of sentinels. They would tell us things are going on. I mean, child overdoses, you know again the poison control centers. We, you know, scan those reports. Ashley. You might want to comment in your role with a healthy kids Colorado survey. And you, you know, just

[124:11] speak to some of the challenges of trying to keep that survey current with, what's going on? Yeah, I I really appreciate the comments about the importance of surveillance. And and I I was. I am. I'm also kind of shocked to hear about the hyper emiss is not having a code, because we we've been hearing about that for so many years. so yeah, yeah, on the healthy kids Colorado Survey. We were lucky enough to expand our questions about marijuana use before legalization in 2,014. And so I feel like our State has a a good sense of trends. But it is. It's you have to stay on top of it. We've had to add response options. you know, like delivery service, you know, trying to anticipate. Is that gonna be something we're gonna want to know about. So we have to add the response option before you know, it's a real issue. And changing terminology and making sure we're using the language youth would use. So they recognize themselves in the question. And it it is. It is really a a challenge to anticipate problems before they're so big that that you wish you had a question or a data point

[125:23] on on it. yeah. any other comments on that since. So at least you, Dr. Sam, live in Boulder. So you may be aware of what we all read in the daily camera, or we don't read either are But you know we made some important decisions with respect to cannabis hospitality suites that. I don't know if you I have a feeling you'll probably will say that you don't want to go on a live here, either, but one of them was We decided that as a board the 25 would be the cut off to get into canvas all these weeks. We also made the decision to

[126:12] be safe. Be safer rather than sorry, and and not allow concentrates, which, of course, that is something you know quite a bit about But yet, you know, even then I don't even know when this is printed in the daily camera just recently sometime in the past 2 days the the folks that write in write the editorial comments that this is just bold or silly. and our boulder silliness. and you know who are we and who and then, as you might know, that city council decided not to move forward on this at this point in time. And So I just wonder. how do you feel about you know the reason, the basic reasons why we decided not to the age of 25. Because the general consensus is that when the brain.

[127:07] you know, it officially becomes fully developed and concentrates. Just felt like, you know, as as you've already said it's an unknown I don't know. Go ahead, and but I you know I I'm I'm aware of the City Council. decision that actually reached out to the city council. I mean I. And the other side of this is sort of the normalization of. you know, using the products and sort of public commercial venues that, I think comes with that which I think is also important. You know I I I appreciate that that reaching into adult to it at some point in 25 is probably as justifiable as any other number around protection against substances and might affect the brand is still developing. We have the same issue with with nicotine and

[128:01] So I I mean, I think there's 2 issues to me. I mean, I I think I I don't know. I guess I don't think anybody knows about what the impact of having hospitality venues where one can use. You know, T. It products would be on actual use, whether it lead to sort of you know, social binging as a proposed comparable to social drinking, let's say with the you know, the potential to have high bursts, and that some pharmacology that goes a bit beyond me and the other come out. You know, they just the concern about sort of normalization, which. you know again, is a a concern. Yeah. Ashley, any do you want Chip, Chip in or no? I was just feeling so grateful that John had to take that question, because,

[129:00] we've I've chosen to, you know, a career path that didn't involve having to be a policymaker. So no, I mean I I don't envy your your position of having to make these decisions in in the absence of evidence and and in the face of criticism. It's yeah. Well, in the end the city console gets to, you know. Give the final say, we're we're just advisors. But any any other questions for the team from school public health. Just the last comment. If you look at the material and you would like us to come back, let us know we have to do it. You may not. You may wish you didn't say that, but let's hope not. No, we look forward to any future publications or information that we can. You gleam okay for sure.

[130:01] okay. So thus, anybody sees a reason to do things differently. I'm gonna call for a break. and then we will resume what? Where are we at? correct. Okay, all right. Let's do 10 min. All of you is right. Thanks for joining us today. and thanks for your work to we're on to agenda. Item 8. Am I right? That is correct. Agenda? Item number 8. Matters from the city attorney. Yeah, you got the stage. Andy, okay, good. yeah. So I I think the the big item, obviously, last meeting we discussed preparing a draft of

[131:05] the Board's procedural rules. So I don't know, Kristen, I think I can share. Is that okay? If I share it real quick. my screen. he should be able to. And it's also in our minutes. I'm I'm scrolling up page 52, no. 53, maybe. Yeah. Pdf, through 53 53, yeah. And I I it says host is disabled screen sharing. So I was going to I can share if you would like. I I was gonna actually share a part of the Brc. And I can just read it out loud. another option to Kristen. If you make India co-host. I mean, you should be able to share that way.

[132:19] so I just wanted as we kind of get into this discussion. And I I don't know that it's going to take super long, because we just have, I guess, a a big primary. Ask of each of the Board members to go back and start at that Pdf. Page 53, and give it a read and kind of within that if there's any comments or questions you have to jot those down. But also, if there's any proposed changes that you want us to consider, the goal is within these procedural rules to

[133:02] I think. have a clear system for how we're gonna go about doing the Board's licensing approval and denial functionality. So and this is just. I know the board discussed this back, and I think it was in May. But The Brc. Here has. If you can see this, the the Advisory Board's licensing functions may include, and then it has this to grant or refuse applications for licenses to operate medical or recreational marijuana businesses as prescribed by, and then it has the 2, the 2 sections on medical marijuana and recreational marijuana. it has this caveat. So the Advisory Board's responsibilities shall not include suspension revocation or in position of fines. So that's sort of your out of bounds. Parameters.

[134:02] And then the This is another piece. I thought, we're highlighting. So the city manager shall issue all licenses granted by the Advisory Board upon receipt of the completed application the operating fee, criminal background, fee, annual license fee, and any other applicable applicable fees. So with respect to this licensing function, that's As long as basically, we've received a complete application. And all of these fees have been paid The decision resides with the Advisory Board as to whether to approve or deny a license and then the and another kind of piece that I thought worth highlighting 2 pieces. So one is that it's really designed so that the Advisory Board doesn't provide or it doesn't perform any administrative functions as it goes about this sort of you know, licensing approval and denial process. So that's all. Still

[135:04] with the licensing manager and the city manager's office. And then the final point is that we don't have any authority over the land use code. Obviously. So we need to request an opinion of the planning board if there's some issue. But we need to be deferential in terms of zoning determination or anything of that nature. So they go through their own process. Basically. So I just wanted to sort of refresh the Board's recollection on some of those key points. I know. you all had that discussion initially, and you've all been thinking about this at some point. But that's really the Board has its advisory functions. And then it's licensing functions. And this is really, I think one of the first major steps to getting those licensing functions

[136:00] off the ground, so to speak. And I'll stop sharing here. I think the So right now, before the board becomes involved in this. and I'm just looking at the it's hard for me to tell what number, but it's it's the part where the see manager with Shelley issue all licenses granted by the advisory. Blah blah blah! Exactly right there. So right now the city staff would do this right. and does it all go smoothly to like? Do they do? They always pay every like 1, 2, 3, 4, or other applicable fees before Does that all happen pretty routinely? or is it like? Will there be situations where somebody's application will be held up because they

[137:05] forgot to pay something, or whatever. I don't know. I I'm just wondering. And and then there's a follow up question after that. But I I'll defer to Kristen on that point in terms of whether it goes smoothly. But I think the the point is is that your decision should be pretty dispositive in terms of you're gonna be examining the issues, making sure that the application is meant all of the criteria. and if it is, then you approve it, and then, as long as and Kristen can chime in. But as long as these are correct, and I think our procedural rules have a separate I guess verification process that occurs post issuance. But as long as everything is in order. That is the Board's prerogative in terms of whether it or license issues or does an issue. So.

[138:00] Kristen, do you have any, or either Kristen Kristen, T. Or C. Do you have any thoughts on any of that? I would say overall. It's a pretty smooth process. especially with the payments. I mean, those are pretty transparent. So we don't usually have any issues with that. Sometimes the process can take a while. especially when it comes to passing inspections. I would say. That's probably the biggest hold up. But Our applications are usually in pretty good shape, and we, you know, we have the opportunity to review them and provide feedback to the applicants if they are missing information. And there's some back and forth that happens there. But overall I'd say it's a pretty smooth process so so they usually they pay the fees that does the What did you say? The inspection? What was it that comes up all before it would come to us?

[139:00] Well, that's something that we would need to discuss with the board is how you like to see that process play out. We do require inspections before we issue a license right now, the way that we operate with the Liquor Board is We have the public hearing with the board and receive their approval first. and then we do the staff inspection, and then we issue the license. But you know, that's kind of up to this board as to how you'd like to handle that in addition to the application fee on the application, since it is an open book test. does it ever happen that someone does an application and they're not following the distance restrictions, or some at the you know other other. Are they ever asking for exceptions to certain rules? as far as the the distance restrictions and the zoning goes. We. We try to make sure that they're compliant with those requirements before they submit their application.

[140:08] just in case it's not a location that's allowed to have a marijuana business. They they don't have to go through that entire application process first. and it's but as far as asking for exceptions. I can't really think of a specific instance for that that has come up. Hmm, okay, all right. So hopefully, everything will be like taken care of before it comes in front of us. or it'll be fairly straightforward. I I don't want to speak too much for Kristen, because you all have done a lot of this with with bla But yes, hopefully, it would be straightforward, and you would have a straightforward decision to make. I will say you've been plainly written rules like when you get into the the sort of facts on the ground and the real world facts.

[141:02] You might be surprised at some of the gray area that even the best written rules can have, that you might have to interpret and make a decision on. So. I I don't know. Kristen, if you have any other thoughts on that. yeah, that's a that's a good question. I think there is a lot of room for the board to you know, review and and make a determination if something meets their standards or not, especially when it comes to things like an operating plan or a neighborhood outreach plan. You know, the board feels like those are sufficient. Another thing to keep in mind would be Well, I was going to say, needs and desires for marijuana hospitality, but that may or may not be something that we deal with. But if we? If that's something that's the board would need to make a decision about. There's not really clear guidelines there.

[142:05] Last thing I was going to say is determining good moral character of applicants. If we do have an applicant that has the criminal history, the Board will need to make a determination as to whether they are eligible to be granted a license that could get gray. You're saying. Okay, Robin. does this staff give us a give a recommendation during the way what you described kristen with the bla, the way you do the public hearing first, and then the staff does their inspections and fees and all that after. But in the first instance, when it's heard, is there a staff recommendation upfront at all that goes into the hearing? Is that input there or not? We do not provide the staff recommendation for the bla We do provide our preliminary findings where we provide a report of our staff finding.

[143:00] but we don't provide like a final recommendation. Okay? Other questions. Hmm, so, Mr. Chairman, if you'd like, I can just hit on a couple of more points with respect to the actual procedural rule. Draft. yes, we have to use chair person. Oh, I'm sure. Chair person. Yeah, I'm a pronoun of Z up or something like that. I I think the big thing. This is just an initial draft. This was derived from the Oly Bla's procedural rules. So it's not like we came out of this. you know, we we had a pretty good model. I guess that you could say we started building on that said I would encourage the Board to think about what the Board's needs are. I think you'll see it's largely generic, which is a a good thing in my view, but if we need to get specific with certain items we can.

[144:07] It's always sort of a balance, though, because this this document could have legal significance if we were to get sued. So whatever we say in this document, we need to absolutely make sure we're as a cloud board adhering to these requirements in our process. it's good to be a little bit prescriptive to to give our own. Sell some guard rails and make sure we're treating everybody equally, and we're behaving consistently, and that people know what to expect when they come into these proceedings. But we also don't want to be so prescriptive that we. you know, sort of restrict our own decision making and how we do things. So an example might be. Tom, you were just referring to. Well, you know, we're gonna have some of that decision making occur. But what if there's questions or further investigation that you all think needs to happen? There might be sort of some extraordinary circumstances where we need to.

[145:06] I guess not follow our own procedure. And so that's we. We want to be a little cognizant of that clarity. That's one thing that we've sought to do. So. If there's anything that's unclear on your review, if you don't think you can understand a section comment on it so we can work on it. and and that's that's pretty much it. I mean, we're really just looking for everyone to do sort of an individual review, and if you don't have any comments or thoughts, no, Biggie. but some some way where we can get sort of a good initial draft, and feed in some of those comments and changes before we bring something a little bit more final to the Board for consideration, and maybe just do a a working session to to review it and finalize it. So I don't know if anybody else Kristen or Kristen, if you either of you have any other comments to add to that. But that's kind of the

[146:07] the the big picture. So do we have a date that you'd like to have that feedback by good question. So one of the logical starting points for the board to actually start reviewing applications would be January first. And so if if we were to work back from that you know, I would hope that we would have revisions in time, so that we could prepare another draft based upon your revisions. and that for the next meeting we could maybe work on finalizing that draft. So I think, Kristen, if you have any thoughts chime in.

[147:03] I don't know what you're all scheduled like, but it would be good for us to circle back with sort of all the revisions and discuss them and and integrate them. I mean, I I think it's a I'm trying to think with our packet deadlines as well like how much time we need to get that final draft into the package into the hands of the board. So I don't know Kristen Ti. You can wait on this as well. But maybe you 2 weeks, if that's enough time. And then. you know, if you can collect everyone's feedback in the next 2 weeks, that was good stuff about 7 to 10 days to incorporate it into a final draft, and then hopefully need to pack a deadline. That is possible. However. 2 weeks. That's 14 days from today. That's the end of August which leads right up into the Labor Day holiday. or we'll be discussing towards the end of this meeting.

[148:04] What date a a September cloud meeting should happen! So that kind of gives us fluctuations. I think that 2 weeks is good as far as gathering. Whether or not that can actually go in a September packet, would remain to be seen based on timing. So she did the oh, I'm sorry. I'm not going to get a whole lot of revisions unless, Ethan, are you seeing like a whole bunch right like you're just ready to jump on something. Okay. you never know. But you know. yeah, I mean, we. I I guess we could shoot for Yeah, getting it into the packet might be tough and getting questions and comments, and if if there are folks that have substantive questions it, it would just be good to get those in advance of the next meeting, so we could try to get whatever draft we have available based upon that input ready for the next meeting. And then that might include teen up some of the bigger questions or comments, if there are any for that meeting.

[149:16] but I think we wanna. I believe a meeting is scheduled in December, or we're planning on having a meeting in December. So as long as we can get them adopted by then we should be okay. okay. so do I hear? Then a due date for Preliminary board member comments and revisions on Monday, August 20. Eighth. So anybody opposed. Okay. to go.

[150:00] Great. Yep, that would be really helpful, and we'll be curious to see what everybody's thoughts and concerns and and if you have none, great but it would be good if you could still read them to to get familiar with them. So no, we asked before, and I maybe twice, and I know we got at least one answer. But how many are we anticipating like a company for a year, or my my understanding is, it's not necessarily even on a month. No, it really fluctuates And I think if we're if we are just talking about new license applications. maybe maybe 5 or 6 a year. But it it really just depends if we haven't had a consistent rate of applications over the past few years. And that was that was my recall

[151:00] any other questions. Alison. I don't have a question. I just have a comment before we go to the next agenda item. Okay, go for it. I just wanted to. Yeah. yeah. Just wanted to say, Tom, I know you probably an offhanded comment that didn't mean any harm. but would ask that you not make light of folks pronouns and use of pronouns and the importance of being gender neutral. moving forward. Oh, no, actually, I'm I actually, I'm I'm embracing. I I I like the Z pronoun. so I'm not making light of it. I'm I have used it in many scenarios now. I have not put it up on my screen, I guess. But yeah. And Allison, I'm I'm sorry about that. Yeah, I I will. I'll try to correct my references. I just wasn't thinking so sorry about that.

[152:04] No worries and and thanks for the clarification, Tom, I appreciate it. We had a presentation somewhere around 5 or 6 years ago, when I was still the medical director of Mortenburg on 21 different choices of pronouns. and I some of them have gone by the wayside. But I'm not a big fan of they, because that sounds like plural and And so I think, see to me, it feels like it's gender non-specific. So I'm sorry if it sounded like I was making light of it. If anything, I was actually embracing it. I appreciate that, thanks from apologies for misunderstanding. It's okay to call me out to. That's fine. all right, I think we're ready for number 90, I mean, you know it was actually kind of interesting when I was reading through.

[153:00] I don't know if anybody saw the article or the it. It's the editorial board, or what are they? The daily camera people that write things for the editor or the community members? And every time I was reading through it everybody kept talking about marijuana, and now I'm sensitized to that, too, because I just like wait. I can't marijuana. It's not supposed to be marijuana, you know. It's supposed to be cannabis except that's what the State still calls it. So we're kind of stuck with marijuana as it is right now. But but it I I I'm trying to move forward on certain things. So I'm being educated all right, Ron, for matters continuing on as matters from the regulatory licensing office

[154:00] we're stop is our update marijuana hospitality presentation manager, changer. Thank you. Kristen. So just a quick update, I think everyone's aware. But Staff presented to city Council on July 20 regarding the staff resources that would be needed to implement a new hospitality licensing program. Council decided not to add hospitality to their 23 work plan. So at this point it's on hold until least 24, when the new Council seated. anyone have any questions about that. But I I was Brian and I were going to. I mentioned this that see, this is. yeah. I just want to make sure this is the right place for that. But you know there was a a Allison represented the board and she was asked by officially myself, but so the the staff had asked

[155:06] for one of us, either myself or Brian, to just be present when the board presented to the city council, and it was all set that Brian was going to join virtually, if I think, for Michigan, or some place distant. And then all of a sudden his schedule changed, and he was unable to plan to be there, and so we kind of Brian and I kind of scrambled, and we we have short list of people that we considered to fill in for us, and Brian asked Stacey, and I asked Allison, and Allison replied, First and And so the staff was excited to have at least one person agreeing to represent the board just in case there were questions. And I I I thank Allison for stepping in especially at rather last minute notice. I think it was within a day or 2 of the meeting. And

[156:07] and so that's how it came to pass that how we choose who is going to stand in for the for the City Council for the presentation. and I'd be. I will take any questions on that. Both Brian and I wish we could have been there. But. Allison, did you get where you were? You called for questions at all, or were you just present, or how did that work out for you? mostly just present. I spoke right at the beginning. Kristen, let me know that there would be an opportunity just to say Thank you to the city council, and just acknowledged the work of the board. so it's about the beginning. And then there were just a few questions. because the vast majority of the discussion was

[157:04] really not about the substance of the recommendations. It was more for staff around capacity and priorities of city Council members. I was mostly just sitting waiting. I think the the one question that I remember is, if The clubs had a specific timing in mind of wanting to implement the recommendations. and I said from my recollection that the Board wanted to know as soon as possible to get some direction from from city council. but not necessarily when things would go into effect. Okay, thank you for calling that any other comments on that from so do you stop since you were all there, too? Okay. yes, agenda topics for future cloud meetings.

[158:05] And do we have that list? That document is within the packet your what pages on I mean. I remember seeing it in past packets, but I don't know if I saw it in this packet. Yes, it is in this pack. At one moment. maybe closer to the beginning. I am looking, and I do apologize. It is normally there with the follow up recommendations for cloud meetings from the Retreat. and I am not seeing it.

[159:00] I can provide that if you'll just give me one moment. Oh, share screen! I am able to open that up one moment. You know what's impressive when Kate's here. Kate would have it ready to go, and she would be able to put it all right up on the screen if we had, if we allowed her to screen share. But are you talking that very large document, Tom. I can look up past minutes. so what we do have as items that are included in each packet are procedures for motions meeting for ground rules and follow up recommendations from cloud meetings from the Retreat.

[160:10] Let me get back into Mays packet. Yeah, all that is there. And then I'm finding that that's like pages. Let me one moment. Everything's trying to download instead of open. Well, she's looking for that. Does anyone have any? You got it. I, too.

[161:08] So while this is from the month of June. some of these things need to be updated as we did receive the update from the substance, abuse or substance, education, awareness Fund. We are looking at rules of procedure right now. We have talked about the meeting date that we moved in July forums. Some are vacation plans and virtual versus in-person determination meetings. We do have a secondary document. and we take these at each individual meeting. and we have a list of potential speakers and wasn't that was the issue. That city console approved that Robin can

[162:05] speak to us. Yes, that was on a list that included more than just. Yes, that's a secondary piece which is coming right now. Can you? make that fit the screen better? Is it? Does it keep going rather than a document itself?

[163:04] And then there was the speakers here. Oh, okay. all right, Tristan Walkin Watkins. I remember what kind of suggested that maybe once a year we have someone from the change lab. I thought. or does anybody have any suggestions either based on what's in front of you, or in addition to what's in front of you. I see Member Noble has her hand raised.

[164:14] Nathan talked about changing recreational use to adult use? I think that's smart. and would be interested in looking at that. I know we tabled that conversation because there's, you know, we have to wait until it's lined up with what the State's doing. But, I don't know. Maybe that's a future conversation. We might encounter the same challenges if we can't really change things unilaterally, and Boulder is that I mean, we might all agree that the name should be changed from marijuana to cannabis, but we can't really do that, can we? I don't know, Andrew, and that you were.

[165:13] He's thinking, I think. Sorry I was with the sharing screen. I was popped in where I couldn't unmute myself. I think maybe that's because I'm still a host. yeah, I I think it's we can explore that. I mean, I I think that brings up. I guess, broader implications of how willing we are to be inconsistent with the State, which isn't a huge deal, I guess I just I think if if the cloud wants to pursue that, you know, and the same thing with the cannabis versus marijuana, we I mean you, had my thoughts on whether there was a technical difference that may create issues. But that doesn't mean

[166:05] either of those issues can't be explored, or that that's sort of a foregone issue. yeah, that's Yup cool. Kristen. I just want to clarify at the state level. They actually use the term retail instead of recreational. So it's actually a little bit different at the state level than what we use locally. Good point. what did we have from Mit? Maybe even more than one speaker, actually. because I was thinking maybe this would be a good thing to dovetail with if we had Tristan Watkins come, who. I presume you really high up in the in the hierarchy. and might be able to execute some changes at the State level, or at least influence some changes at the State level.

[167:10] Same. You know, Tristan. I don't know. I don't know what, what, what, what is the what is the cannabis business office to. Maybe that's why we have to have this person come. Speak with us. It is my recollection, and I may be wrong that the cannabis business office is part of the social equity licensing that the State does okay? Well, if we break them, then they can tell us what they do.

[168:05] We did we, can you? How hard would it be to look up or rob one? Do you know who we had from me? D right back when maybe 2 years ago or so, I mean we had somebody not too long ago. That was that. I I I can see her face. I just can't think of her name. She's great. She's a big speaker. She came and talked about the Enforcement numbers that that the Legislature looked at and considered a bill on, and that has something to do with that report that I mentioned earlier that I'll share in the next packet. But maybe we take a look at that report and see if the board members have questions coming off of that. And and Officer Pam could probably weigh in on that as well as the subject for the for future conversation.

[169:00] Okay, do you want to have a speaker next time, I guess, is ultimately what I was going to ask. I quick question if you don't mind Sherry. Just wonder if the staff are working through anything we're having the board. Take a look at something might be helpful in terms of licensing staff, or your group, Andy, is there, is it? Are there questions that you guys want that board to look at or need some weighing in on from us. but I think it would be good, for I mean at some point the board will probably need an overview from licensing about. Sort of it's process what it does. And then the standards that are currently applied for applications just to sort of prep you all for sort of the issues you might see in your application review.

[170:03] and that's frankly an area that I don't. I don't. I mean, I can see the cloud or I can see the Brc. Regs fine enough, but it might be good to to maybe set some time for all of us, including myself, to sort of have a discussion about what this looks like, what the standards are. How are they applied? Where? Where certain information found in the applications? that kind of thing. So that's that's the only real thought I have as we get ready for licensing just in your up here. Unmute it. Does that mean you want to say anything or no. or both Christians. Now. I. I would agree with Andy, and also any feedback on the rules for procedure would be really helpful in any discussion around those, so we can finalize them and

[171:07] get one step closer to the transition. Okay, so we can put that on the list for next meeting. I mean, I do know that the change lab has been doing some interesting research. So I don't know if somebody from that lab would like to if we'd like to hear from them good kind of dovetail on school public health presentation. I understand more light on research which also fits with

[172:00] us having them here? When when were they last year? Has it been a year? Ish staff? Could research and get back with you on that? However, doing that in in meeting is is difficult. You guys are the one who will reach out right for the folks I mean reach out the potential speakers. We certainly can. It'd be helpful if someone has the contact information for you like us to reach out to you. But we can also just try to Google it. If we get some directions on the board. Well, I can start the conversation and send them in it, probably by name. That's up there on the screen. Probably be the speaker. but I I'd let them decide who they want to

[173:06] represent the lab. But that's only if people are okay with that I don't think it'd be a lengthy presentation. Any other ideas you can wouldn't be for September's meeting, but a lot of them alone did say that she'll be available for October's meeting to do a educational presentation for concentrates. so figured. I mentioned it now so we can get it on the calendar that was listed. It must be up above.

[174:00] Yeah, we can see that. Yeah. There. Okay. let me hold there just for a moment. Don't school? That was anything else on this list. Okay? So October, for a lot of the room. Anyone opposed to me asking the change lab. See if they'd like to present and not on the tales of what's presentation. The only other thing that I would suggest is that we, you know, we heard the presentation from Nathan, and he gave us a lot of materials to look at that are in the packet, and I don't know if the Board wants to take any specific action around

[175:06] recommendation of some sort to our licenses or something along those lines. I I don't. I don't know. I don't know what our the right next step step is in terms of the information he gave us, and there might not be a tactile step to take. But Just hate to have him come and give us all that, and then kind of let it go. How does it work with the alcohol? For it sounds like it's an expectation that they have some kind of training which many of them choose that training. It sounds like. oh, I'll for liquor, licensing, and boulder All employees involved in the handling for serving up alcohol required to complete a responsible vendor training within 60 days of higher.

[176:02] and then keep that training active by renewing it every, I think 3 years. the State has a list of approved responsible vendors, and we differ to the state list. a lot of licenses do choose to do the tips program through a rar. But they're actually a lot of different responsible vendors that are approved at the State level. so for marijuana, there is a similar program responsible. But in your training that the State manages that's available on their website as well. But that sorry that training requirements actually outlined in the pla rules of procedure. So, Andy, I don't know if that's something that we would need to add to our rules, or how that would work. If the Board decided to implement that requirement.

[177:01] Yeah, let's discuss offline. I don't. I let me think about it. Yeah. yeah. Are you suggesting that the list would be almost as long for responsible vendor training for canvas versus liquor. It's not quite as long yet. I think it's just a younger program. There's aren't as many service providers out there. but there's there's if you to choose from on the state website. Okay, there's a list yeah on the Meg website. They post a list of responsible vendors. All right. So how about we let you guys discuss it offline? And we might eventually come to the conclusion that pretty words that anybody's an off. But maybe we require them to have some kind of responsible vendor training.

[178:01] We didn't. I don't think we I don't think that was in the list of motions. at least for hospitality suite. Is that? Is there an expectation right now for cannabis businesses? Are you asking, is there a training requirement for cannabis businesses? There is not an older. It's not interesting. Okay, would that be in our purview? Are you asking if the Board could add that requirement for businesses going forward. Yeah. Andy, do you want to speak to that?

[179:01] Yeah, I I I think. I mean, that's that's what I was gonna talk to you about. Offline was basically. whether it be something that the Board would adopt on its own, or whether it would have to be like a recommendation that it would make to council for adoption. so that's I. I think we would just like to discuss it offline. We can keep it on the future meeting work plan for sure, though. Okay, can we add it? Would that be in in the list of suggestions for future cloud meetings. I'm seeing a yes or not. Yes. okay. I'll take that. Okay. that work for you, Robert. Yeah, thanks so much. I just I just think I just keep going back to that policy suggestion form that we got. That seems to say that we have a problem with buttenders making medical recommendations. And I want to explore this idea of vendor training, or but tender trainer, whatever it might be. to make sure that's not happening.

[180:20] you know, in some for some bad outcome. And I'm not even sure that we're seeing bad outcomes. I'm just curious about it. Okay. we'll put it on the list. Anything else? Alright. So, Kristen, you want to talk about the September fourth meeting date. certainly. September fourth, which is the first Monday of the month. The scheduled Cloud meeting date is, of course, Labor Day. We are taking the temperature of a meeting date adjustment

[181:04] to another date. You want to y, or nay. or you want to have people weigh in fourth, first. well, the fourth is a city holiday. So no staff are available on the fourth. okay, because we can't hold it on the right. we can explore at this date, we can explore other possibilities, it would depend on availability of not only staff but of a quorum. The eleventh would be the best workable option that is being offered as a as a potential

[182:00] how to go around. Colleague, call out each board person. you want me to do that. I can do that. I'm good on the 11, I think. Hold on. Come back to me. Let me just make sure I'm not out of town. All right. Member Noble. I'm good. On the eleventh I'm a definite no, on the fifth member, Daniel. I'll be coming back into town on the eleventh. There's a chance that I would not be able to make that meeting member, Christie. The eleventh works for me. Person. Thank you. Member Green. The fifth is a definite no the eleventh I can probably do. I might have to join a little late assuming we're keeping the same time. But I I might be able to make it work where I don't have to join late. But either way. I could do the 11, possibly joining late, but hopefully not.

[183:09] And ex official, Bailey. But I'm asking, anyway. Thank you. The 11 eleventh works for me. certainly, and chair consmen circling back with you our eleventh works. I can. Nobody suggests it, but I can not do the eighteenth. so I have 1, 2, 3. It looks like we could potentially have a quorum. So September eleventh. And thank you. So the next item would be just a reminder that the October meeting was the selected hybrid option. The meeting will take place at our Brenton Building.

[184:07] Where is where is the oh, that's the one at canyon and broad. No, sir, no, we are 1, 1, 3, 6 Alpine Avenue. Former locations in the hospital correct. easy, easily findable. Yes, we would provide a a directional link in there on the meeting information. That was the October second meeting. Is that correct? Correct? Okay. great. And the last item I that we have in here on the agenda is summer quorum setting in June, we'd asked for

[185:01] people to email if they had any issues coming forward with the remainder of the summer. We're just doing a double check here. I mean, we just to just address the September. So I guess the summer portion is a little redundant. But Does anybody have any known conflicts for October? On November, December? in October we'll talk about the holidays. Okay? So if you can start kind of thinking about that, I know it's a little bit early, but not when you look at October, not really meeting there. No. I will get to that one a future date. Correct? All right.

[186:01] Okay. I don't sure matters from the chair and members of the board And did you want to have any input before before the chair or any members of the Board? No. I'm good. You had any further discussion on the staff about attendance expectations. Yeah. So I at 1 point. and this maybe hearkens into the boards. The tree. But I I I don't know if the Board will have it, retreat before we would get a chance to do licensing. But I think some of the Board members I've discussed with you the importance of I guess, Member expectations when we're actually doing these hearings. So keep in mind when we do a hearing, there's always the risk that

[187:05] if we render an adverse decision to the applicant that they don't like that, they could bring a lawsuit. and that means a judge could be reviewing our video and assessing what our decision making was. And you know, coming to conclusions about, I guess the professionalism of the board and the reasoning of the board and everything else. And so this all gets into a lot of issues that we discussed about. maybe like having the Board codify a set of expectations for membership, and that would include things like being at meetings unless you don't have a or attending meetings unless you have good cause not to attend meetings like having some sort of a policy surrounding that, or a way that the Board can address that keeping like your video cameras on

[188:03] I'm trying to think of some of the other sort of member expectation items that I think would be really important for actual hearings. And so I don't know if any of the Board members have any thoughts on any of that. I know. Several of you sort of expressed a desire to have something like that. But yeah, if there's any anybody with thoughts on that. that would be great. So we we didn't go into attendance, and I don't know if we did specifically talk about keeping cameras on. We did talk about meeting ground rules, and in fact, I was. I was looking carefully at meeting ground rules. When our public commenters were commenting to make sure the ground. I we we the same ground it was, I presume, for of the commenters, right.

[189:03] Yeah. Kristen's rules that she reads before before the session. But I I think this wasn't really specific towards public comments, or like timing professionalism with public comments as much it as it is just kind of the board creating its own set of expectations for how things would operate to the extent those aren't captured in the procedural rules so well in the past. We have the reason why it came up in our retreat. Is we at? I was needed to remind people to speak respectfully and not interrupt. And not characterizing someone. I'm not. I'm just reading from the ground rules, actually avoid characterizing someone else's position as bad or wrong, or. you know, naive, or whatever

[190:01] so those can like some carry on unless we change them at some point in time, but they know we're not very specific about keeping cameras on, and we're not very specific about attendance. But if I correct me, if I'm wrong, but there's been a couple of board members removed from other boards because of non-attendance. Maybe I don't know you. You can tell me if I characterize that. Yeah. And that's this isn't, I guess, directed at this, the people in this room that that has happened with some of the other boards. and I think the the overarching concern that I'm trying to address is just making sure that if people are coming potentially with attorneys who have prepped and they've incurred legal fees to sort of prepare for this. Some of the people that come in might be nervous appearing before board and potentially getting. you know, Cross examined and providing testimony.

[191:02] And it's just sort of a a big deal for potentially for applicants. They might have a lot of money on the line. And so that was really what I was getting at was making sure we're gonna for certain. Have a quorum, and we're gonna know, you know who our chair is, and if our chair isn't attending that, the vice chair will be attending and just having some of that worked out in anticipation of what I'm assuming will be maybe not as intense as some of the past quasi-judicial hearings I've been involved with, but nonetheless, I mean, we need to treat them like it's a proper forum. And there's an order, and everybody is respectful of the participants. And you, as Cloud Board members, are serving in. And a quasi judicial role. Right? So you're you're not judges. but you are effectively rendering decisions that impact people's legal rights

[192:04] and which can have legal consequences for the city. And so that's kind of the the big part of board attendance that was was percolating up. But yeah, so that that was kind of big picture thoughts. And I know I've had discussions just in my introductions to some folks about about that, potentially. But yeah, I'm not sure what direction you all want to take it in, or if we want to have that discussion now, or or what? But does anyone want to have another retreat in the near future when the street retreat was from. It's almost where was our last retreat? November in November. Yeah.

[193:01] Yeah. If we're going to do an annual retreat, then it's only 3. What does the staff feel about having? We're happy to facilitate the retreat whenever the Board feels ready for that. I do not think there are funds for another facilitator so likely to be a retreat that's run by staff and the board. So it's just something to keep in mind. Understand? Lord, what are you saying? I mean it would be, I'm assuming in addition, unless we decide not to have a November meeting. it would be in addition to

[194:02] but it may not. How long did we go last time? Settled a half day for the last retreat that I don't probably need. It doesn't need to go quite as long. I would suggest maybe one or 2 h. Anyone. Robin? Michael Stacey. awesome. awesome. Got a hand up? Are you asking about it? Am I in favor of another in-person retreat. or also just the issue of how like do we need some more ground rules? I I mean, my personal opinion is, as I don't think, that we need more ground rules that are late, and and respect with respect to Andy, to the comments that you were making. I know this isn't personally coming from you against us personally, but Just as an example like

[195:10] my doorbell rang twice. I had to get up and answer the door. I felt like it would be weird if I didn't shut off my video and just got up and walked away, and then the public just sees a blank screen. I I feel that it's more appropriate to shut our video off if we're not our faces physically there. but you know I'm I'm not wedded to that that policy. and I'm in favor of another in person. Retreat. I think that that was helpful for for us. Alison, you had your hand up, and then your hand went down. And now, Stacy. I I'm I agree with Michael, I think, having an in-person retreat. it was really nice to do that last year. I know last year we had some pretty specific things we wanted to talk about So I think

[196:02] if there were similar objectives or things that were really predefined that we wanted to talk about in a retreat. I'd be all for it. And I do think it makes sense to revisit. You know some of the expectations. I think that's really helpful when setting things up for current board members and new board members to know what the expectation is, and then also to have a conversation that's based more in you agreed to attend 80% of meetings, for example, versus, I feel like you're not attending that many. it can be nice to have those agreed upon expectations. So I would be in in favor of that conversation if other folks are but not, don't feel so strongly that it needs to happen if other folks don't feel it's necessary. And you wanna on your talking, you want to weigh in on the. I think it's quite reasonable for Michael to, or any of us to turn our cameras off for free like I, I turn mine off to go fill out my water bottle, and

[197:06] whatever that's interesting. reasonable. Stacey or Alison do you want to come into? I mean, I think I I think it's a fair. I think it's a fair expectation to add, with the balance of a of a judgment calling in a vehicle right now, so that feels like really unprofessional to have show in my car. but I I think it's worthy of a conversation, and especially, I think Andy makes some really good points about some additional scrutiny to the board and the decisions. And in this new phase of thinking about licensing. I I think it's it's important to to talk about and have some shared expectations. Okay, Stacy. I think the retreat was helpful last year. I mean, we found out a lot about each other that I think could come into play and understanding viewpoints when we're your meeting, and

[198:06] you know, just learning a little more about each other's backgrounds where we don't have time to do that during meetings. so that I think would be useful. I agree it doesn't necessarily have to be a whole day thing. It could be even shorter than half day. doesn't necessarily need a facilitator unless there are more what's best for you, putting it like challenging topics to address, I think in that setting facilitators out full. But if we're just talking about things that don't feel quite as triggering for people, I I'm not feeling a strong need for that. Beyond that, you know, it's always helpful to review expectations and the way I see things that you know. It's always good to hear it, because it could be evolving, and we should all know what the expectations are, especially as there's new numbers joining us. and then the camera thing. Yeah, I mean, if we are in a meeting in person, and leave to go to the restroom, for example. That's a ken to having your camera off right like stepping out and sharing a root all of our real quick. So everyone doesn't have to watch you, too, like, those are the types of moments. Right? I think we need to be able to have adult discretion and professionally be able to turn off our cameras when we feel like that's appropriate.

[199:19] Or if you have a quick trip in your car, or whatever it might be. But I I think it can be part of the expectations that in general we'll leave our cameras on, you know, barring those times where a a member has to do whatever they have to do, and the rest of the world doesn't need to their witness to that right? So just like you would in a regular meeting. You know, you can step out. We, you know it doesn't need to be a big deal. If we did a retreat staff. assuming we could have it hybrid. you know, right? There's high likelihood. Kate might not be able to make it. and maybe others.

[200:02] Yes, we could accommodate a hybrid retreat if that's what the Board would like. We could even look at turning the October meeting into a retreat. Not since we were planning to do that hybrid anyways. But if you wanted to do something separate, we have the printing conference room available which is set up for hybrid meetings. But we could definitely use that space. Okay. one. So maybe we could actually keep the agenda purposefully like. And that part of the meeting via Retreat. That a possibility. Are you suggesting that possibility? Yeah, I I I think it's up to the board. But if you wanted to change October to a retreat instead of a meeting. I'm not sure about splitting it like half meeting, half retreat. I've never seen that done before.

[201:01] Not so that it can't be done. But that's something. I need to look into a little bit because retreats are not on the signs or not televised or not record? Or are they required? I don't know. We typically don't record the retreats, however, they are open to the public. They're publicly noticed. and if it was hybrid we would need to string that for the public as well. I think we didn't have people to show up from their at least one Robin and Ethan, do you want to? I yeah, I mean, I I like the retreat as well. so I'm totally willing to do that, and in terms of the rules and stuff like that. The one thing that I think might be helpful to Andy's point is, if you are going to miss. Maybe we have a make a commitment to, unless it's an emergency letting somebody know.

[202:11] you know, within a given amount of time, if it's possible. that might be a helpful thing to expectation to actually write down and ask people to agree to. Yeah. well, it's important also for quorum right? Like. If 4 people suddenly drop out the last minute, then the rest of us have blocked off that time, and we don't have quorum. Then the time is wasted for everyone. So it seems like, that's a real important thing to do, you know, to like, let people know if you're not going to be there because we may have to cancel a meeting if a bunch of people aren't there, for whatever reason. And so that would be better for all of us, I'm sure to know in advance. Not like at 3 15, you know, on the day of. And and Brian has an emergency come up within the past 24 h, which is, he has planning to be here. But

[203:05] something, camera. and Michael's usually pretty good about letting people know, and Kate's usually pretty good about letting people know. I think Allison's been here pretty much every time. Ethan, you want to wait. Yeah. being a new newer member. haven't had the opportunity to take part in the retreat, so I'm certainly in in support of it. If it does land in October we just need to work things out. or what what I want to know. when the next available meeting would be for her to do her concentrate presentation. Well, maybe Kristen or whoever is the person that would try to determine. Maybe we could just do a retreat for 1 h.

[204:06] and I could still go on in October. when I think with a a retreat. it's important to think about what would be different than a regular meeting is. Would the goals of a retreat being met if we were all in person together, and folks had a chance to chat a little bit more, or there's some more substantive things that folks want to talk about. In addition to that. I don't. I don't know the answer, but I don't know if it's if it if it takes a lot of if it takes more from staff to put together a retreat or a retreat like option. then I'd want to make sure that we had a really clear vision for what the goals of that were. Go ahead. maybe pushing a retreat closer to

[205:01] the end of the year as we near? You know the in 10 intention to adopt and move forward with our our licensing duties. would be more appropriate if there are things related to that that we need to to iron out. So maybe November, December would be more appropriate. Okay. I, personally don't want to. The retreat to become like a crazy animal in and of itself, because I I think the main thing is for us to see each other in person, if that's possible. and then maybe just go over ground rules. And you know we we've done it before, so we can look. We can bounce off of past like procedures and how to make meetings run. Well. it's kind of what we do at the first retreat.

[206:00] anything. We already have their own work. I don't wanna, I don't. I'm hoping not to have a 4 h retreat. By the way. okay, 6, 41. I always like to let people off early, but I want to see anyone has other things. There were some articles, but I think. Robin, did you submit any? I think Brian was so they they're interesting articles. Towards the end of the packet I submitted an article about the day the Danish study and the link between psychosis slash schizophrenia. That that study concluded was evident, so I think it's worthy of taking a look. Such a devastating condition.

[207:05] hey? Anybody else? I'll probably be sending through that the epigenetic one that I mentioned, and then also I don't think we've seen the the thing that came on 2 days ago, or maybe you all have seen it. I don't know is in the the of the camera. or 4 different. What do they call the edit? It's not the editorial board that's probably giving them too much. it's just the camera has this tradition of keeping a volunteer board of of writers, and they will take up a different topic. And they've been doing this for, like I don't know. I want to say about 15 years or so. it's always really interesting. You you always get lots of different flavors. And I I thought the column was pretty good. When it's worthy it's worth a read, and if maybe we can include it in the next packet.

[208:00] yeah. I'm not sure they followed our ground rules. But anyways. one's like, follow the daily cameras. Okay. no one else has anything else. Anyone. I want to make a motion to return. I motion to adjourn. Second on that. I second. and you want to post our saving. All right. You you get 17 min of additional time. All right, thanks everyone, and thanks to.