Committee advances bill loosening some cannabis retail advertising limits with amendment

The Consumer Protection & Business Committee voted April 1 to report out Engrossed Senate Bill 5206, with amendment H2079.3, approving changes to cannabis retail advertising rules, including increasing the number of allowed cannabis-related signs on a licensed retail premise from two to four and clarifying limits on trade-name signs.

Peter Clodfelter, staff to the committee, briefed members that the bill would allow four cannabis-related advertising signs affixed to the building or hanging in a window and would exclude trade-name signs from the advertising restrictions so those would instead be subject to local sign ordinances. The adopted amendment (H2079.3) would require the four authorized signs to be on the side of the building with the main entrance and would limit additional trade-name signs to a maximum of two (one may be double-sided).

Representative Reeves moved and the committee adopted H2079.3 by voice vote. Supporters on the floor said the amendment clarified provisions and addressed public-health concerns; several members urged passage. By staff announcement, the committee vote to report ESB 5206 as amended was 14 ayes, 0 nays and 1 member excused. The measure will proceed from committee with a “do pass as amended” recommendation.

Staff noted that the bill excludes from sign restrictions trade-name signage that is otherwise regulated by local governments, and that the measure prohibits cannabis advertising at businesses licensed to sell tobacco and paper products and prohibits advertising cannabis below acquisition cost.