Denver Opens Applications for Marijuana Delivery Licenses and New Store Locations | Local News

Applications are now open for the delivery of marijuana and carrier licenses to Denver for the first time in the city’s history, the Department of Excise and Licensing said.

The city is also accepting applications for new marijuana store locations for the first time since 2016, in addition to applications for marijuana cultivation and manufacturing licenses.

It comes two months after Denver changed its marijuana policy to allow the provision of social equity services and hospitality businesses where patrons can consume marijuana on-site. Applications for hospitality licenses are expected to open in November, the department said.

“This is a big part of the biggest overhaul of marijuana rules and regulations since the initial legalization the mayor enacted on 4/20,” said Eric Escudero, spokesperson for the Excise Department and licenses.

Under Denver’s new marijuana policy, there is no cap on the number of licenses and permits available, and there is no deadline to apply.

Delivery licenses will only be available to social equity applicants until 2024. Licenses for stores, carriers, crops, manufacturing and new hotel establishments will be limited to social equity applicants until 2024. 2027.

Social equity applicants are defined as residents of Colorado who have never had a revoked marijuana license and who meet one of the following social equity criteria:

• The applicant lived in an area of ​​opportunity or a disproportionately affected area between 1980 and 2010
• Applicant or immediate family has been arrested, convicted or suffered civil forfeiture of property due to a marijuana offense
• Applicant’s household income does not exceed 50% of the state’s median income

By offering exclusivity to social equity contenders, Denver officials say they are trying to offset the damage caused by the War on Drugs and the uneven persecution of disadvantaged communities for marijuana-related offenses.

“Denver recorded $ 716 million in marijuana sales last year, but only a small portion of our population has been able to benefit economically from the industry,†Escudero said when the policy was passed in April. “We want more people to benefit from it. “

The Marijuana Delivery Program will allow people 21 and over to receive deliveries directly to private residences in Denver and other jurisdictions that allow delivery of marijuana.

Deliveries will be available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will be limited to the same amount of product that can be purchased in store: 1 ounce of marijuana, 8 grams of marijuana concentrate and products containing 800 milligrams of THC.

For new marijuana businesses, current regulations require them to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, daycares, municipal swimming pools, recreation centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, and other similar types of permits.

New marijuana businesses are also not allowed in the top five neighborhoods with the most businesses, under the new policy. In February, those neighborhoods were Overland, Northeast Park Hill, Baker, Five Points, Valverde and Elyria-Swansea, with the last four tied for third place.

Applications for all marijuana-related licenses, permits and license amendments are available on the Department’s Medical and Retail Marijuana Licenses and Permits. website.