Denver Announces Proposal for Social Cannabis Club Regulations

The city of Denver announced a proposal today that establishes rules for social cannabis consumption. As a result of the voter-approved Initiative 300, this early draft outlines the rules and regulations that will be debated in the coming months.

Initiative 300 was approved by voters last fall, which includes implementing a four-year pilot program that allows businesses to obtain permits to create legal sections of their establishment where customers can safely consume cannabis. The pilot program requires support from the local neighborhood or business association, according to The Denver Post.

Leader of the Initiative 300 advocacy campaign, Emmett Reistroffer, is concerned about how businesses will be able to build a relationship between themselves and the cities that they reside in. “Since the very beginning, we wanted this to be a discussion between neighborhood groups and businesses,” Reistroffer said. “We think some of the rules kind of circumvent that intent.”

Examples of some of the proposed restrictions include that designated cannabis consumption areas cannot be visible “from the public right of way,” or within 1,000 feet of schools, child care centers, alcohol or drug rehabilitation facilities, recreational centers or outdoor pools. Within these businesses, the regulations require a detailed plan to ensure proper ventilation and odor-control, and all applicants must provide their plans to dispose of cannabis plant material.

None of the businesses that will be permitted to allow social consumption are allowed to sell cannabis directly. The businesses would also be required to ask that cannabis consumers in their establishment to sign a waiver that acknowledges that those individuals are responsible for themselves, and that they won’t drive while under the influence, among other agreements.

There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, June 13 at the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building on the fourth floor for those who have comments or concerns about the regulations in the current draft. “Overall, I think we’re just ready to move forward and to allow businesses to get these permits, so that the community and, really, the entire world can start to learn from this program,” Reistroffer said.