Denver licenses cannabis dispensaries (Retail Marijuana Store and Medical Marijuana Center) under DRMC Chapter 6. Dispensaries must maintain 1,000-foot buffers from schools, daycares, and child care establishments, be located in Main Street/Urban Center/Commercial/Industrial zones, and operate only 8 AM to 10 PM. Denver also implemented a social equity licensing program in 2021.
Denver's marijuana licensing framework, DRMC Chapter 6 (Article III Retail Marijuana; Article IV Medical Marijuana), is among the most detailed in the country. Dispensaries must: - Hold both a state license from CO Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) and a Denver Excise and Licenses permit - Be located only in Main Street, Urban Center, Commercial Corridor, or Industrial zones under DZC - Maintain 1,000-foot separation from schools, child care facilities, alcohol/drug treatment centers, and any other licensed dispensary - Maintain 500-1,000-foot separation from residential zones depending on district - Operate only 8 AM to 10 PM (extended to midnight for consumption lounges in limited cases) - Install security: high-resolution cameras, alarm, controlled entry, locked cages - Comply with product packaging, potency, and child-resistant rules - Pay city sales tax (3.65%) plus special marijuana tax (5.5% Denver + 15% state) In 2021 Denver passed Ordinance 21-0918 creating a Social Equity licensing program prioritizing applicants from communities impacted by the War on Drugs, and in 2022 Denver licensed the first 15 marijuana hospitality (consumption lounge) businesses. Moratoriums on new non-equity retail licenses remain in effect in most zones. Approximately 200+ dispensaries operate citywide.
Operating without license: closure and fines $5,000+. Buffer violations: license denial or revocation. Sales to minors: felony charges plus immediate revocation. Operating outside hours: $500 to $999 citation.
See how Denver County's dispensary zoning rules stack up against other locations.
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