CO SB154

Creates responsible vendor training program standards for medical marijuana businesses in Colorado requiring submission of applications to the state licensing authority for approval.

Approved training programs must include minimum 2-hour classroom instruction covering program standards, attendance requirements, recertification, record-keeping, testing protocols, and statutory/regulatory curriculum on licenses, age requirements, patient registry cards, liability, identification procedures, and local/state enforcement.

Medical marijuana businesses may receive a "responsible vendor" designation valid for 2 years if all employees selling or handling marijuana, all managers, and all resident on-site owners successfully complete an approved training program; new employees must complete training within 90 days of hire.

State licensing authority cannot approve training programs offered by persons with financial interest in marijuana businesses, recent employees of marijuana businesses, persons employed to approve programs, or non-residents of Colorado.

Licensing authority must consider responsible vendor designation as a mitigating factor when imposing sanctions or penalties on designated businesses that face administrative action; act takes effect August 8, 2012, unless subject to referendum petition.