Republicans Colin Larson and Kevin Priola joined Democrats Jeff Bridges and Kyle Mullica to sponsor anti-tobacco legislation in 2020.
The first bill of any year’s Legislative Session is often a statement piece, setting the tone and priorities of the year.
This year, drug prohibition was a priority of Colorado’s Democratic-controlled Legislature.
House Bill 20-1001, “Nicotine Product Regulation” not only infringes on the rights of adults under 21, but also creates a new licensing scheme for tobacco retailers, and even increases criminal penalties for individuals who sell tobacco without government “tax stamps.”
Apparently, Colorado Legislators did not learn from the tragic death of Eric Garner in New York who was killed by NYPD, during his arrest for selling un-taxed cigarettes.
Republicans Rep. Colin Larson (R-22 Jefferson County), and Sen. Kevin Priola (R-29 Adams County) joined Democrats, and the Trump administration to violate the rights of Coloradans.
Sen. Priola also sponsored legislation to prohibit the sale of flavored nicotine products this year. (HB20-1319)
It might be surprising for some to see Colorado Democrats jump on board with Trump’s authoritarian policy.
(Readers of Free State Colorado know that Colorado’s Democratic Legislators have fought against criminal justice reform)
But, this latest attack on freedom came after Boulder raised the age of purchase to 21, banned flavored vape products, and attempted to raise taxes on tobacco purchases in 2019. (sources: here, here and here)
To make matters worse, when the Colorado Legislature reconvened after the Covid-19 scare, they ramped up their attack on legal tobacco by passing a massive tax increase intended for the 2020 November ballot.
HB20-1427 “Cigarette Tobacco And Nicotine Products Tax” would increase the taxes on a pack of cigarettes to $2.64 over the next seven years.
All freedom loving Coloradans, whether smokers or not, need to be aware of the tyranny in our State Legislature.
Many of Colorado’s legislators think they know what’s best for us, and like all authoritarians, they are WRONG.
Shame on Kevin Priola, Colin Larson, Kyle Mullica, and Jeff Bridges, and all the legislators who try to control our lives.
Any thoughts? Comments? Please leave them below!
Recent Comments