Since 2021 Denver has reserved new cannabis store, delivery, hospitality, and transporter licenses exclusively for Social Equity Applicants under DRMC chapter 6. Eligibility tracks Colorado HB21-1090 criteria: low income, prior cannabis arrest, or impacted neighborhood residency.
Denver's Marijuana Social Equity Program, launched in 2021 under DRMC chapter 6 amendments, reserves all new retail marijuana store, marijuana delivery, marijuana hospitality, and marijuana transporter licenses exclusively for Social Equity Applicants until at least 2027. Eligibility tracks Colorado House Bill 21-1090: applicant lived in a designated Disproportionately Impacted Area for at least 15 years between 1980 and 2010, was arrested or convicted of a marijuana offense, or has household income below 50% of state median. The Denver Department of Excise & Licenses runs the program with reduced application fees, technical assistance grants, and a marijuana social equity fund seeded by recreational tax revenue. Existing license holders cannot transfer ownership outside the equity pool.
Misrepresenting Social Equity Applicant eligibility on a Denver cannabis license application violates DRMC chapter 6 with denial, revocation, civil penalties, and possible criminal fraud charges referred to the Denver District Attorney for prosecution.
Denver, CO
Denver Revised Municipal Code section 6-205 requires every retail and medical marijuana dispensary to be at least 1000 feet from K-12 schools, child care, dr...
Denver, CO
DRMC 6-205 plus Denver Zoning Code chapter 59 restrict marijuana stores to specific commercial and main-street zones. Cultivation and manufacturing are limit...
Denver, CO
Denver regulates marijuana dispensary locations through DRMC Chapter 6, Article V and the Denver Zoning Code. Dispensaries must maintain buffer distances fro...
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