Committee for the Denver Responsible Use Initiative
Summary The Denver Responsible Use Initiative will legalize venues known as “Private Marijuana Social Clubs,” and establish a permitting process for special events where marijuana may be lawfully consumed by adults 21 years and older. The City shall establish regulations and licensure to safely and responsibly govern Private Marijuana Social Clubs, which shall not distribute marijuana, and shall not be a licensed alcohol premises or retail food establishment. (Den. Ord. Ch. 23, Art. III) Private Marijuana Social Clubs shall follow certain distance requirements, in that they shall be at least 1,000 feet away from schools, drug rehab centers, and daycare facilities. Fees for licensing Private Marijuana Social Clubs shall not exceed similar fees for Denver businesses that are not licensed alcohol premises or licensed retail food establishments. There shall not be an arbitrary limit on the number of Private Marijuana Social Clubs per council district. This initiative shall also establish a permitting process for a “Special Event - Marijuana Permitted” where legal products including marijuana may be lawfully consumed by adults 21 and older. The regulations governing these permits shall be no more restrictive than current ordinances which allow for the issuance of special event permits, and permit fees and other legal requirements shall be similar to those for other special events. This initiative shall not allow for the open and public consumption of marijuana at Private Marijuana Social Clubs or at Special Events- Marijuana Permitted in places which are viewable from public sidewalks, streets, alleys, or parks. The City shall have no more than 126 days (18 weeks) after passage of this initiative to enact regulations and licensure for Marijuana Social Clubs, and to enact a permitting process for a Special Event Permit-Marijuana Permitted.
