Imitation controlled substances - determination - considerations

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-18-421, under OFFENSES AND PENALTIES.

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-18-421

(1) In determining whether a substance is an imitation controlled substance, the trier of fact may consider, in addition to all other relevant factors, the following:

(a) Statements by an owner or by anyone in control of the substance concerning the nature of the substance or its use or effect;

(b) Statements made to the recipient that the substance may be resold for inordinate profit which is more than the normal markup charged by legal retailers of similar pharmaceutical products;

(c) Whether the substance is packaged in a manner normally used for illicit controlled substances;

(d) Evasive tactics or actions utilized by the owner or person in control of the substance to avoid detection by law enforcement authorities;

(e) The proximity of the imitation controlled substance to any controlled substances when conduct purported to be illegal under this article is observed.

Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 373, § 1, effective July 1.

ANNOTATION

Legislative intent of "purported" in § 18-18-420. The general assembly intended the term "purported", as applied in § 18-18-420, to refer to the circumstances surrounding defendant's conduct. Based on the substance's appearance by a representation made and by consideration of all relevant factors as set out in this section, a reasonable person would believe the substance to be a controlled substance. There is no requirement, therefore, that a defendant knowingly purport the substance to be a controlled substance. People v. Taylor, 131 P.3d 1158 (Colo. App. 2005).