Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
The Denver City Council could put a hold on new marijuana dispensaries this week as it considers a two-year moratorium on medical marijuana businesses and a two-year extension on dispensary license transitions.
If both are approved when the council's Business Development Committee meets on Tuesday, only medical marijuana dispensaries open since October 2013 and in good standing with the city could apply for a license to sell retail marijuana for the next two years, while new medical marijuana dispensaries would be prohibited for the same amount of time – essentially freezing out any new dispensaries, medical or recreational.
"We believe that this proposal is in the best interests of all stakeholders as we remain true to creating a responsible industry that is regulated in a manner to protect health, safety and quality of life of our citizens," the bill, proposed by Denver Excise and Licenses and the Office of Marijuana Policy, states.
Despite the officials' claim that putting a hold on new businesses would enhance market longevity, many industry stakeholders and business owners feel the city is creating an unfair advantage for those who got their licenses early.
"A moratorium is not a sign of responsible growth, but a device used to pick winners and losers in our newest industry. By prohibiting new businesses from calling Denver home, not only are we sending the wrong message about cannabis, but we are invoking the image that Denver is not open for business," says Tyler Henson, president of the Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 24, at 10:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of the City and County Building.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Will Denver Okay A Two Year Moratorium On New Cannabis Businesses?
Author: Thomas Mitchell
Contact: Contact Westword
Photo Credit: Scott Lentz
Website: Westword
If both are approved when the council's Business Development Committee meets on Tuesday, only medical marijuana dispensaries open since October 2013 and in good standing with the city could apply for a license to sell retail marijuana for the next two years, while new medical marijuana dispensaries would be prohibited for the same amount of time – essentially freezing out any new dispensaries, medical or recreational.
"We believe that this proposal is in the best interests of all stakeholders as we remain true to creating a responsible industry that is regulated in a manner to protect health, safety and quality of life of our citizens," the bill, proposed by Denver Excise and Licenses and the Office of Marijuana Policy, states.
Despite the officials' claim that putting a hold on new businesses would enhance market longevity, many industry stakeholders and business owners feel the city is creating an unfair advantage for those who got their licenses early.
"A moratorium is not a sign of responsible growth, but a device used to pick winners and losers in our newest industry. By prohibiting new businesses from calling Denver home, not only are we sending the wrong message about cannabis, but we are invoking the image that Denver is not open for business," says Tyler Henson, president of the Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 24, at 10:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers of the City and County Building.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Will Denver Okay A Two Year Moratorium On New Cannabis Businesses?
Author: Thomas Mitchell
Contact: Contact Westword
Photo Credit: Scott Lentz
Website: Westword
