SB 26-164 prioritizes hemp beverage industry profits over public safety. It seeks to allow the sale of potent hemp-derived THC beverages in restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and liquor stores.
This expansion would explode the number of businesses potentially selling intoxicating THC hemp beverages from approximately 700 dispensaries to over 13,000 stores, restaurants, and bars. That’s an 18-fold increase.
This normalizes THC sales statewide and creates more avenues for access for Colorado teens. THC will be sold at places where kids are welcome, including convenience stores, groceries, and restaurants. This would include communities that have opted not to allow marijuana dispensaries.
Colorado traffic fatalities increased in 2025, and impaired driving is blamed for worsening the death toll.
- Between 2013 and 2022, fatalities involving drivers with THC and alcohol present increased by 250%, according to CDOT.
- Research confirms that using marijuana and alcohol together enhances the effects of each, compounding the challenges and increasing impairment. Selling both THC and alcohol in the same venues will create a dangerous cocktail.
Colorado’s road safety has already suffered from marijuana commercialization. In the span of a decade, drug-tested drivers in fatal crashes who tested positive for THC increased by over 80%.
The legislation recklessly ignores the dangers of impaired driving. Alcohol and marijuana together significantly increase crash risk.
Take Action: Tell Your Elected Officials to Oppose SB 26-164
This reckless bill will increase marijuana access for teens and jeopardize the safety of every Coloradan. It could possibly increase the number of intoxicating THC sales locations by more than 12,000 statewide. Tell your legislators to vote NO on SB 26-164.