A new law that makes it illegal for individuals to use hazardous materials to make hash oil went into effect on Wednesday.
Republican Representative YeulinWillett of Grand Junction co-sponsored the measure. He said it targets ‘home cookers’.
"We had a problem with explosions all over the state from people trying to manufacture marijuana concentrate using dangerous, explosive, volatile substances such as butane," Willett said.
Last year, there were more than 30 explosions injuring at least 30 people across Colorado from this kind of activity. That’s according to Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, a drug enforcement collaboration between federal, state and local agencies.
"This law gives more teeth to the prosecutors and law enforcement to stop that process and those procedures to avoid explosions and injuries and deaths to people," he said.
Willett said it makes this type of hash oil production a level 2 drug felony, which is punishable with up to eight years in prison.
However, the law does make an exemption for patients and primary caregivers who possess or produce medicinal concentrates through safe processes.
