MJBizMag April 2023 - 43

" We are tracking an
increase in burglaries
among licensees, primarily
medical and retail stores
in recent years, in addition
to marijuana business
employees being a target
for fraud. "
- Dominique Mendiola
Colorado Department of Revenue
Marijuana Enforcement Division
What are the costliest
compliance mistakes that
cannabis businesses make?
Mendiola: Any violations that affect
public health and safety are the
most severe. Penalties can include
suspension, fines up to $100,000 and
revocation of a license.
Violations affecting public health
and safety can include but are not
limited to diversion, knowingly
adulterating or altering samples
for testing, advertising that directly
targets minors, unauthorized sales
and violations that directly impact
consumer safety.
When evaluating enforcement
actions and penalty recommendations,
we consider both aggravating and
mitigating factors, for example:
1. History of violations.
2. Good-faith measures
demonstrating intent and
efforts to comply. For example,
we consider whether licensees
have documented trainings for
their staff, standard operating
procedures or other tools to
support compliant operations.
3. Whether there is evidence that a
violation was willful and deliberate.
4. Whether noncompliance was
self-reported.
How have compliance and
enforcement challenges changed
for MED as Colorado's medical
and recreational cannabis
programs have matured?
Mendiola: As the marijuana industry
has become more sophisticated, the
MED has also evolved to efficiently
regulate this space.
Each year after the legislative session
and during rulemaking, we have the
opportunity to work with stakeholders
to enact new legislation and improve
and streamline existing rules and
processes. To keep pace with these
changes, we've also identified needs
for subject matter experts in areas of
science, data analytics, policy-plus
emphasized the value of outreach and
education.
How much do you communicate
or work with regulators in other
states?
Mendiola: As a founding member of
the Cannabis Regulators Association
(CANNRA), Colorado regulators are
in regular communication with our
counterparts in other states. We share
best practices and lessons learned, plus
learn from the innovative work that
they're doing in cannabis regulation.
Many states are dealing with similar
issues, such as emerging products and
trends and an increase of intoxicating
hemp products. Sharing information
and resources on those subjects (and
more) is invaluable.
This interview was edited for length and
clarity.
Omar Sacirbey is senior
writer for MJBizMagazine.
You can reach him at omar.
sacirbey@mjbizdaily.com.
mjbizdaily.com | April 2023 43

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MJBizMag April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MJBizMag April 2023

MJBizMag April 2023 - 1
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