A huge step in Denver, Colorado’s legal cannabis industry, Denver City Council approved cannabis smoking lounges, public use of cannabis on special buses and cannabis delivery services.
Since cannabis was initially legalized in Colorado for adult use, it was a continuous problem for residents and tourists alike that the only way to legally consume cannabis was in a private space. Private clubs already exist in Denver, and for visitors, this is not usually a viable option because they require memberships. This has been one major criticism for Colorado’s legal cannabis industry, but with this new ruling, many of those private clubs are excited to move forward open publicly when law allows for it.
Colorado has a new law designed to help qualifying business owners get ahead in the cannabis industry, primarily to increase diversity in the number of owner licenses for the state’s cannabis businesses. Now that Denver is allowing public clubs, the social equity bill allows for more consumption lounges and cannabis business owners a chance to take part in the new, legal segment of the industry.
The allowance for consumption sites opens up even more options, like restaurants, clubs and spas that incorporate cannabis consumption. Another major shift, Denver City Council approved cannabis delivery services.
Eric Escudero, spokesperson for the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses, said vehicle cameras would be required, and drivers would be equipped with ID scanners to prevent people under 21 from requesting deliveries. This measure also would allow cannabis tour buses to drive around the city while people use cannabis on board, open to the public rather than as a private event, with a barrier between the driver and passengers to limit secondhand smoke.
Delivery driving would be another expansion in the industry where the new equity bill could help new business owners get stable footing in the cannabis industry.
“That’s the last thing we want to do is have someone driving around who is high,” Escudero said. The measure is “… geared towards trying to make sure more people have an economic opportunity to benefit from this multibillion-dollar industry.”
The changes head next to Mayor Michael Hancock and will take effect immediately after being signed into law, though implementing the changes could take a few months. Mayor Hancock supports the measures, spokesperson Mike Strott told the Denver Post.
