Real talk: Why changing rules for Denver marijuana use is a necessity

Should Denver businesses be able to dictate whether they allow marijuana consumption on their premises?

On The Cannabist Show, marijuana editor Ricardo Baca is joined by cannabis consultant Katherine Grimm and Democratic Colorado state Sen. Pat Steadman for a discussion about the social pot use initiative in Denver.

Steadman and Grimm agree that with the limited options available for Denver visitors illicit marijuana consumption is happening anyway, and the laws need to catch up to the real world. The trio talk about the pros and cons of the initiative and what it means for the business owners and their customers, whether they would like to partake or not. Also up for debate: Are cannabis-only clubs a better option?

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Denver’s hospitality industry conflicted on social pot use
(Ricardo Baca, The Cannabist)
The proposed initiative that would allow Denver entrepreneurs to open their 21-and-up business and patio spaces to limited marijuana consumption has divided many in the city – and it’s not even clear yet if the question will land on the city’s November 2015 ballot.

“We will be adamantly opposed to it,” said Sonia Riggs, CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association, an industry group that works with 4,500 businesses, or about half of the state’s restaurants.

“As a business owner you should be able to do whatever you want to behind your walls,” said Justin Brunson, chef-owner at Old Major, Masterpiece Deli and the soon-to-open Honor Society. “We pay a lot of taxes to be in business, and if we wanted to allow something that is legal within our four walls, we should be able to do what we want to.” READ MORE

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New pot club in Englewood highlights public consumption conundrum
(John Aguilar, The Denver Post)
Pot smoking just got a little easier in the Denver area — but no less fraught with controversy.

A newly opened cannabis club here allows, for a fee, people ages 21 and older to spark a joint, pack a bowl or vape some THC concentrate with other like-minded weed enthusiasts.

But last month’s debut of Colorado’s latest marijuana smoking lounge — iBake Englewood, 3995 S. Broadway — quickly ran afoul of city officials. READ MORE

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Analyst: Poll shows that ‘voter passion is opposed to’ social pot consumption
(Jon Murray, The Denver Post)
Last week, the backers of a potential Denver marijuana ballot measure that would legalize pot use at some businesses that opt in, including bars, released a commissioned poll that showed 56 percent of likely voters would support the idea.

Not so fast, a veteran Denver political analyst says.

Despite that top-line support number, Floyd Ciruli says, his reading is that the poll “shows a public with little enthusiasm for the spread of marijuana consumption to bars and clubs.” How is that? READ MORE