Denver Readies Pot Club Licenses

Following the approval of last year’s Denver ballot measure that approved bring-your-own-marijuana clubs as part of a cannabis consumption pilot program, the city is expected to begin accepting license applications by the end of August. Insert joke here about the Mile-High City.

The cannabis consumption pilot program has a number of stipulations including that pot shops are off limits and licenses can’t be issued to any place that has a liquor license. The pot clubs must also be located more than 1,000 feet away from schools or where children congregate – twice the limit for liquor licenses. 

David Zalubowski/AP – Jim Norris
Standing outside of his information cafe in south Denver. Norris is hoping to license his storefront as one of the nation’s first legal marijuana clubs.

The pot club licenses cost $1,000 annually, with $1,000 to initially apply.

Jim Norris is one Denver business owner who hopes to secure a pot club license. His used books/records store named Mutiny includes a coffee shop and hosts events such as comedy shows. 

Although the drug has been legal for those 21 and up to consume privately in the state since Colorado’s Amendment 64 was ratified in December 2012, the law neither allows or denies pot clubs. Earlier this year lawmakers in Colorado voted against regulating pot clubs statewide.