It's well established that public pot consumption in Colorado is a no-no. What businesses allow smoking on their premises? (Seth McConnell, The Denver Post)

Cannabist Q&A: Private clubs/hotels; home-grow help; keeping herb fresh

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By , The Cannabist Staff

Welcome to our Ask The Cannabist column. Clearly you have questions about marijuana, be it a legal concern, a health curiosity, a Colorado-centric inquiry or something more far-reaching. Check out our expansive, 64-question Colorado marijuana FAQ first, and if you’re still curious, email your question to Ask The Cannabist at askthecannabist@gmail.com.

Hey, Cannabist!
I know you can’t smoke at a dispensary, but I’m curious, as an out-of-stater, are there other types of businesses that can allow it to be smoked on premises? –Toking Toledo Tourist

Hey, Toking Toledo Tourist!
State regulations for marijuana from “seed to sale” have largely been hammered out, but policies and guidelines are not as well developed on the consumption side, other than bans on public consumption at this point. Options are limited for social clubs, but a few choices have sprouted up to serve out-of-town guests. For lodging, the Denver Dab Hotel is a block of hotel rooms inside a downtown Denver hotel where vaporizing is permitted in the rooms. Vaporizers are allowed because they don’t conflict with the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, says Matt Brown, business developer behind Denver Dab Hotel.

Cannabist Q&A: Toking tourist options; hired help in home grow; keeping herb fresh
The owners of Club Ned, David and Cheryl Fanelli, look over blueprints of their business in March. (Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera file)

Club Ned, in the Boulder County mountain town of Nederland, is open every day to adults 21 and over, usually for an entry fee of $4.20. According to president and co-owner, Cheryl Fanelli, guests must first read, sign and agree to a code of conduct before entering her private “bring your own cannabis” club. No alcohol is served and snacks and soft drinks are available. Cheryl recommends contacting Club Ned on Facebook to find out the entertainment and activity schedule and reserve a seat before making the drive up the canyon.

Cannabis tour companies host out-of-state guests for marijuana-themed vacation packages. Among the tours with the most media exposure are My 420 Tours (also launched by Brown) and Colorado Rocky Mountain High Tours, owned by Addison Morris. The tours use licensed buses or limos, which are exempt from the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, to tote toking tourists around to sites of interest and scheduled “BYOC” events. XO

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Hey, Cannabist!
Thanks for providing a much-needed resource. Under the new rec laws, I can grow up to six plants and I can grow them on my property as long as it’s secure. I have two questions: Can I lease a secure space or property elsewhere to grow my rec plants? Can I hire someone else to grow and cultivate my plants for me?  —Oliver Wendell Douglas from Green Acres

Hey, Mr. Douglas!
I’m glad you like The Cannabist; high five! Yes and yes are the quick answers.  I ran your questions past marijuana attorney, Warren Edson. Warren says: “You can lease a secure space elsewhere to grow your six plants. However, you must meet local rules and regulations, including zoning requirements.  Amendment 64 does allow you to pay someone else to ‘assist’ you in growing your plants.”

So, first check your local government websites for more information (here’s Denver’s) and make sure it’s OK to grow in the leased location.  XO

Related: A reader wonders why their landlord has banned marijuana on their lease since pot is now legal in Colorado. Can they really do that?

Hey, Cannabist!
I just enjoy a pipe now and then and wondered the best way to store my herb to keep it fresh for a while? –Izzi Occasional Smoker

Hey, Izzi! 
Storing cannabis in airtight containers with tight-sealing gaskets is a good start to preserving your quality herb. These containers are easily found in head shops or dispensaries.  For almost 20 years, an acquaintance of mine, Todd Miller, has enjoyed cannabis as well as cigar smoking. He’s a stickler for keeping his aged tobacco and fresh nugs stored at proper humidity for maximum enjoyment.

First, Miller prefers to store his cannabis in mason jars, but he says anything airtight — sealable baggies, plastic or glass containers — will work. Next, keep your stash in a cool, dark place to avoid damaging light or heat.

Humidity level is a personal preference and also varies between regional climates and seasons. Proper humidity preserves the quality of the bud. At high-and-dry Colorado altitude, Miller says cannabis keeps well at 62-65% humidity. This range is not too damp and not too dry.

Miller recommends using Boveda humidity packets to control moisture levels. Originally for the cigar market, Boveda packets are self-regulating moisture pouches. They release or absorb humidity as needed to maintain a target humidity. Put a pouch in with your stash and after a few months in use, the liquid in the pouch hardens and it’s time for a new pouch. XO