Colorado Push for Cannabis-Friendly Events Clears First Hurdle
House Bill 26-1117 proposes a permitting system
A push to create a licensing system for pop-up cannabis events in the state passed its first legislative hearing on Thursday, March 5.
There are nearly 700 licensed recreational dispensaries in Colorado, but restrictive laws and a lack of proven business models have held back cannabis hospitality venues, with just three licensed and operating lounges in the state, all of them in Denver, and only a small handful of weed-friendly tour services.
The vast majority of weed-friendly events in Colorado have been private; those events tend to have smaller attendance, require forms of invitations or registration beforehand, and are often disputed by local authorities. Cannabis industry stakeholders, event organizers and pop-up chefs have been calling for temporary hospitality permits as a way to support the state’s cannabis culture and help spur small businesses, but have struggled to gain momentum with lawmakers and licensing officials.
House Bill 26-1117, sponsored by State Representative Naquetta Ricks, proposes a permitting system within the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division that would allow event organizers to apply for a cannabis consumption license. The measure was approved by the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee on March 5, with amendments adding application and operation rules, including one requiring that THC warning pamphlets be handed to event-goers upon entry.
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