Documents: 2021 Marijuana Laws, Rules, and Regulations Marijuana Work Plan Cannabis Licensing Policy Sequencing

Cannabis Licensing Policy Sequencing

Sequence Policy Preparation Legislation Implementation Effective
1 Phase 1

  • Set location caps
  • Align location lottery with applications (hold in 2021)
  • Adopt marijuana R&D license
Complete Complete Complete Q2 2020
2 Phase 2

  • Align D.R.M.C. with state code
  • Enact marijuana equity program
  • Enact new marijuana delivery permit
  • Enact new marijuana hospitality license
In Progress Q1 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2021
3 Phase 3

  • Explore new hemp licenses
2021 2022 2022 2022

 

Phase 2

Draft Legislation for Feedback

Phase 2 will include a package of three bills which are summarized below.  This legislation was developed using feedback from diverse and highly knowledgeable stakeholders representing the marijuana industry and public health, public safety, social justice, and youth-serving organizations. Click on the links below to read the draft legislation.

Bill Topic Details Legislation Implementation Effective
Draft Omnibus Bill(PDF, 401KB)

Section Comparison Chart(PDF, 167KB)

Updated Omnibus Bill Draft(PDF, 434KB)

 

  • Social Equity
  • Existing License changes
  • Marijuana Delivery
  • Revises Denver’s Marijuana Code provisionsusing an Equity Lensand creates opportunities for social equity applicants
  • Aligns Denver’s Marijuana Code provisions with the ColoradoMarijuana Code and staterules
  • Modifies distribution of existing store and cultivation licenses byremoving the Location Cap and Location Lottery requirements
  • Creates a Denver Marijuana Delivery Program
Q1 Q1/2 Q2/3
Draft Bill to Enact Marijuana Hospitality Program(PDF, 218KB)

Updated Hospitality Bill Draft(PDF, 220KB)

 

  • Marijuana Consumption
  • Creates a Denver Marijuana Hospitality Program to allow for lawful marijuana consumption establishments
Q1 Q2 Q3
Draft Bill to Repeal Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program(PDF, 51KB)
  • Marijuana Consumption
  • Cleanup
  • Repeals citizen-initiated consumption establishment ordinance after enactment of a Denver Marijuana Hospitality Program
Q1 Q2 Q3

 

Please read this report(PDF, 179KB) for detail of the outreach conducted by the Office of Marijuana Policy and Department of Excise and Licenses to inform the development of this package of ordinances.

Stakeholder Sessions to take feedback and input on these draft bills have been scheduled:

Stakeholder Feedback Session #1: Community Stakeholder Feedback Session 

Stakeholder Feedback Session #2: Marijuana Industry Stakeholder Feedback Session

Stakeholder Feedback Session #3

  • Wednesday, January 6, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Anyone is welcome to join this evening feedback session. Stakeholders representing public health, public safety, social justice, registered neighborhood organizations, community groups, and youth-serving organizations are encouraged to attend this session as it will address broader issues of interest to these groups.
  • Link to Presentation(PDF, 510KB)
  • View the Meeting Video

Stakeholder Feedback Session #4

  • Friday, January 8, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
  • Marijuana industry members are encouraged to attend this question-and-answer session intended to address specific industry concerns and technical details of the draft ordinances.
  • Link to Presentation(PDF, 834KB)
  • View the Meeting Video

Special Presentation to Denver Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC)

Stakeholder Feedback Session #5

Questions submitted by attendees during the stakeholder feedback sessions have been compiled and answered in an FAQ document, which will be updated periodically. View the FAQ document(PDF, 378KB) .

Public Comment

Stakeholders may submit written comments to MarijuanaInfo@denvergov.org. A Written Comment Template(PDF, 82KB) is available for your convenience.

View all written comments(PDF, 6MB) submitted following the release of the first drafts of the ordinances on December 7, 2020.

 

Research and Development License

In 2017, the State of Colorado authorized local licensing authorities to issue marijuana research and development licenses (R&D). Marijuana research and development licenses permit the cultivation, possession, transfer, manufacture, and production of marijuana for limited research purposes. As a part of Denver’s 2020 Marijuana Workplan, EXL proposed an ordinance to create this new type of marijuana license. The bill (CB20-0262) passed at City Council on April 13, 2020 and the ordinance is now effective.

This new license will allow the City to preserve its reputation as a leader in the regulated cannabis industry and will foster innovation and entrepreneurship. It will also be an opportunity for the City to pilot its equity provisions and social impact plan under the forthcoming “Cannabis Equity and Social Justice” initiative.

READ THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE(PDF, 568KB)

Stakeholder Feedback Session

EXL hosted a stakeholder feedback session on March 5, 2020 to discuss the work plan and give community members an opportunity to provide input on Phase 1 legislation.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION(PDF, 290KB)

Marijuana Equity & Social Justice

Denver is promoting inclusion for people and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs as well as communities that are now being affected by the regulated marijuana industry.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Marijuana Licensing Work Group (MLWG)

In 2020, the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses convened a diverse Marijuana Licensing Work Group (MLWG) to gather community input regarding the new marijuana licenses created by the State of Colorado in 2019, Denver’s Cannabis Equity Program, and the City’s 2020 Marijuana Workplan.

Materials from each meeting, including agendas, presentations, videos, minutes, and public comments can be accessed below. Questions about the MLWG? Contact us at marijuanainfo@denvergov.org.

Meeting 1 – Thursday, May 14, 2020 From 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Meeting 2 – Thursday, May 28, 2020 From 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Meeting 3 – Thursday, June 11, 2020 From 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Meeting 4 – Thursday, June 25, 2020 From 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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