Denver regulates marijuana dispensary locations through DRMC Chapter 6, Article V and the Denver Zoning Code. Dispensaries must maintain buffer distances from schools, childcare centers, and other dispensaries. Denver issues limited licenses for both medical and recreational retail marijuana establishments and requires compliance with both state Marijuana Enforcement Division rules and local zoning.
Retail marijuana stores must be at least 1,000 feet from schools, childcare centers, and drug/alcohol treatment facilities. Dispensaries must also maintain a 1,000-foot buffer from other dispensaries. Location approval requires a special use permit or compliance with zoning use tables. Denver caps the total number of dispensary licenses. Hours of operation are restricted to 8 AM to midnight. All dispensaries must have security cameras, limited access areas, and odor mitigation. Consumption lounges (tasting rooms) were approved in Denver under separate licensing.
Operating without a valid Denver marijuana license carries criminal penalties and civil fines. Selling to minors is a criminal offense. Zoning violations can result in license revocation. The Denver Department of Excise and Licenses conducts regular compliance inspections. Buffer distance violations can result in forced closure.
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See how Denver's dispensary zoning rules stack up against other locations.
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