DENVER — Rules for where residents can consume marijuana could soon change.
Current rules require social consumption clubs in Denver to be 1,000 feet away from childcare facilities and other places where children may be present.
But a new proposal presented during a Special Issue Marijuana Committee meeting would cut that distance in half from 1,000 feet to just 500, allowing some previous applicants to open their businesses.
“As the second business applicant to apply for a social consumption permit, I went through the gauntlet of state agencies and sought approval," said marijuana advocate and business owner Cindy Sovine. "I was denied for being 982 away from a childcare center.”
Eric Escudero with Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses said lowering the proximity wouldn’t affect many other business owners.
"So far, the No. 1 impediment to this programs success hasn't been proximity restrictions from what we've seen because there are approximately 9,000 businesses in Denver that could apply for the license,” he said.
Right now, only one business is currently operating with a cannabis consumption license.