Denver to become first US City to allow Marijuana use in Public

Posted by Sagar Satapathy on January 23, 2017.

Denver on Wednesday began work to become the first city in the US allowing public pot use and consumption of marijuana in cannabis clubs, coffee Shops, art galleries, and even Yoga studios.

Last November, voters in Colorado’s capital city approved a referendum to allow “social use” of marijuana. However, the measure did not have many specific directions other than the marijuana cannot be smoked inside and marijuana users must be over 21 years of age.

Instead, a work group consisting of Denver business owners, marijuana opponents, and the city’s marijuana regulators begins work on suggesting the drafting of those regulations toward the evening.

The state Liquor Control Board has already announced that no organizations with an alcohol permit can permit marijuana usage. That abandons it to eateries that don’t serve liquor and other venues. There’s no due date for Denver to finish the rules.

Emmett Reistroffer, a cannabis consultant who ran the public-use campaign, said the inevitable controls will require neighborhood endorsement for any pot clubs or coffeehouses. “We don’t want this around children, we all agree,” he said.

On the other hand, an opponent of the campaign, Rachel O’Bryan said she’s worried that organizations won’t have the capacity to protect against inebriated supporters driving home.

Meanwhile, a bill to allow pot clubs statewide is pending at the state Legislature. It has bipartisan support but uncertain prospects, especially as Colorado and other legal pot states await word on whether Donald Trump’s administration will tolerate marijuana businesses in states flouting federal drug law.

Supporters would like to see the city begin accepting applications from businesses by this summer, but regulators could easily drag out decision-making for months.

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