Denver Changes Social-Use Law

On Monday night, the Denver City Council decided in a 10-1 vote that the city should permanently allow social cannabis use at certain businesses. Until now, Denver’s social-use laws were set to expire at the end of 2020.

The change in the law is meant to give stability to businesses where patrons vaporize or consume marijuana legally.

Approved by voters in 2016, the social-use law included a four-year “sunset” date. But the industry has been slow to pick up; so far, only two businesses have won a social-use license.

According to Councilwoman Kendra Black, the time limit discouraged some business owners. “With less than two years available, it’s difficult to get financing,” she said. “It’s just really not feasible for a prospective business to open a business in that time frame.”

City officials are also examining loosening the city’s distance restrictions. Currently, social-use businesses must be at least 1,000 feet from schools, day care centers, city recreation centers and pools, and addiction treatment centers.