Voters in Denver, Colorado, passed Proposition 300, a measure that will permit marijuana use in city bars and restaurants. The vote was so close that it took a week to determine the outcome. Soon, however, diners will soon be able to enjoy a little green with their burger and beer. [1]
There’s quite a range of local ordinances regarding pot in Colorado because state law is still murky when it comes to marijuana use in public. When the new law goes into effect, bar and restaurant owners will have the option of allowing marijuana use at their establishments, but pot users won’t be able to smoke indoors. However, owners can establish an outdoor area for patrons who wish to toke up.
Also, bars and restaurants would first have to gain approval from their neighbors before allowing customers to imbibe on the premises. Patrons would have to bring their own marijuana to comply with state law banning the sale of both pot and food or drink at a single location. [2]
Read: November 8: The Biggest Day for Marijuana Legalization Since 2012
Emmett Reistroffer, a Denver marijuana consultant and campaign manager for the pot-in-bars measure, said:
“It’s the sensible thing to do. This is about personal responsibility and respecting adults who want to have a place to enjoy cannabis.”
Proponents of the measure aren’t certain how many establishments will apply for permits, or how long it will take them to gain community acceptance and receive permits. It could take months.
The measure only extends through 2020, unless city officials renew the licenses or voters make the pot-in-establishments measure permanent. The state legislature is expected to consider a bill next year that would clarify that communities can allow people to use pot on-site, if they so choose.
Currently, Alaska is the only state which allows on-site consumption at pot retailers, sort of like people are allowed to vape at vape shops. In that state, however, pot use is not allowed in bars or restaurants, and the state is still hammering out rules for how those pot shop “tasting rooms” would operate.
California’s legalization measure specifically allows pot clubs, while legalization measures approved in Massachusetts, Maine and Nevada don’t rule out on-site pot consumption on private property.
Sources:
[1] Time
[2] Associated Press
