Denver city officials didn’t exactly embrace Amendment 64 before voters statewide — and heavily in Denver — approved recreational marijuana legalization in 2012.
But Mayor Michael Hancock and his administration is taking a new opportunity to exhibit pride in the city’s regulation of the retail cannabis industry.
Denver’s major weed issues
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This week the city’s Office of Marijuana Policy, headed by Ashley Kilroy, announced that it will host a two-day “marijuana management symposium” Nov. 5-6 at the Colorado Convention Center. It has invited attendees from across the country, largely targeting local governments that also are adjusting to legalized marijuana or might face a similar challenge on the horizon.
Dan Rowland, a spokesman for the office, said officials believe it will be the first event of its kind. The event is billed as a chance for attendees to “learn about the city’s collaborative approach to marijuana management” and discuss common issues in marijuana regulation.
“As the first major city in the world to develop tools for the regulation, enforcement and education around legalized, commercialized marijuana, Denver is often asked to provide insight and guidance to other local governments,” said Kilroy, Denver’s executive director of marijuana policy, in a news release. “We’re thrilled to be able share what we’ve learned so far and trade best practices with other agencies that are or will be taking on similar challenges in the near future.”
Earlybird tickets are on sale for $100, and Rowland said that will help cover some of the cost for attendees. The rest of the budget is still being worked out, he said; a small amount may be covered by the marijuana policy office’s budget.
