This November, city residents have an opportunity to vote on Ordinance 300 – City of Denver Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program Initiative. If it passes, the ordinance will provide more freedom in where marijuana and marijuana products can be consumed.
When Amendment 64 was passed in 2012 it legalized the consumption of cannabis, but by law people are limited to using it at home. Public consumption is not allowed. Ordinance 300 would give certain businesses, such as bars, yoga studios and art galleries, the capability to apply for permits to establish indoor and outdoor consumption areas after they have received support from a neighborhood organization or business improvement district.
The neighborhood groups and business improvement districts can propose certain conditions of operation, including specific times of day and days of the week that cannabis consumption would be acceptable, at the venue interested in obtaining the permit. These requests would be reviewed by city officials as they decide whether or not to grant a permit.
Permits could be authorized for one-day events, such as arts festivals, or be as long as a year in duration. The pilot program would expire on Dec. 30, 2020, unless City Council decides to make it permanent or modify it. The measure also calls for a task force to study the impact of the program.
A stipulation within the ordinance: any business with a permit must comply with the Colorado Clean Indoor Act, which means patrons would not be able to smoke marijuana inside. However, smoking in outdoor seating areas and patios would be permissible as long as smokers are not visible from the public right-of-way or places where children congregate.
Vaping and the consumption of edibles would also be allowed.
Margie Valdez, chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee of Denver INC, a non-profit citywide body comprised of Denver registered neighborhood organizations, is opposed to the measure. She says the goals and objectives of neighborhood organizations and business improvement districts are not always aligned.
Registered neighborhood organizations protect neighborhoods, business improvement districts support the businesses, Valdez says.
Valdez feels Ordinance 300 would give business improvement districts the opportunity to overrule the objections of neighborhood groups in the permit application process since either entity can endorse permits.
Kayvan Khalatbari, founding partner of Denver Relief Consulting, is the lead proponent of the initiative. He feels it is the next logical step for marijuana use in the Mile High City.
Weve legalized the purchase and possession of cannabis, but havent given folks a place to consume, Khalatbari says.
Khalatbari believes this is an important issue for Denver residents and tourists alike. Hotels typically disallow the consumption of cannabis onsite. Many HOAs and landlords have similar rules.
You get all these people going to parks, alleys and other places … smoking in front of adults and kids that dont want to be around it because there arent places to go that are inside and discreet, Khalatbari says.
The South of Colfax Nightlife District, which includes The Church, Vinyl and Bar Standard, is supporting the measure. They are doing so, according to Khalatbari, not because they want to apply for the permits, but because the owners want their patrons to have places to go so they will stop smoking at their clubs.
There is still more to learn about Ordinance 300. City Council has scheduled a discussion on the initiative at its Finance & Governance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
The Profile will continue to cover this story as it develops.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Ordinance 300 To Permit Public Use Of Marijuana And Businesses
Author: Jennifer Turner
Contact: 303-778-8021
Photo Credit: Matilde Campodonico
Website: Washington Park Profile
