When Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and veteran broadcaster Katie Couric got together at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado to have a conversation titled “The Dope on Pot” on Tuesday, July 1, what exactly did they talk about?
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Of course they discussed Colorado’s groundbreaking marijuana “experiment,” as Hickenlooper has called it. The also talked about Colorado’s tax revenue, youth prevention measures, marijuana edibles and keeping pot from leaving Colorado, among other topics at the Aspen Ideas Festival, presented by the Aspen Institute and The Atlantic.
“What would you say to the governor of Washington (Gov. Jay Inslee), in terms of how to handle this, and things that maybe you wish you had done differently?” Couric asked.
“Things like the edibles, and making sure you limit the dosage per edible,” Hickenlooper said. “They’re going to learn from our mistakes every way they can.
“As we try to figure some solution to this cash/banking conundrum, they’re not only watching us but also trying to help us with that. So, we’re kind of partners, right? Our staffs talk on a regular basis and are trying to figure out, how do we navigate this together?”
There was also this inevitable question, which Couric tossed out in the middle of the discussion: “Since it’s became legal in the state of Colorado, have you been partaking?”
Hickenlooper paused, took a sip of water, waited a beat, and then shook his head. “No,” he said with a grin.
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