Denver city is expected to pass a first-in-the-nation law that will decriminalize the consumption of pot in places like restaurants, clubs and bars.
However, patrons are not allowed to smoke inside and the owners of these joints must first seek for approval from neighbors.
Marijuana proponents in Denver approved the bill referred to as Proposition 300. This development comes as many states vote to legalize the use of recreational and medical marijuana with Massachusetts and California being among the latest to approve the law.
Supporters of the initiative expressed their excitement, stating that Denver would be the first city in the US where people can enjoy the substance in a social environment without being afraid of the “boys in blue.”
Emmett Reistroffer; a campaign manager for the initiative and a Denver marijuana consultant said that the law shows respect to adults who want to have a spot for enjoying pot. Emmett added that it was the most sensible thing to do.
According to Kayvan Khalatbari; a lead advocate of the measure and a Denver businessman, this is a triumph for marijuana consumers who simply want to enjoy the drug in a social place just like alcohol consumers.
Not so fast: To get a license, restaurants and bars must prove that they enjoy support from their neighbors. No pot will be sold by these joints and so the patrons will be required to come with their own marijuana.
According to Rachel O’Bryan; the campaign manager for Protect Denver’s Atmosphere; the opposition group, there wasn’t enough exceptional ballots for the measure to fail.
She said that the bill’s opponents are worried about issues of second-hand smoke in an indoor environment as well as public safety. She adds that although many voters voted for the use of pot in social places, many of them didn’t want to encounter it all over.
Back in 2012, Denver voters approved cannabis legalization with a strong majority and now, the I-300 bill went through with a smaller margin.
In 2012, Washington and Colorado were the first states to approve recreational marijuana. This was followed up by Oregon, Alaska and the District of Columbia. Nevada, California and Massachusetts are the latest to join this club.
Patrons in social places can now enjoy cannabis in an indoor environment on condition that as it isn’t smoked, however, they can smoke it in outside smoking areas. It is not yet clear how long it will take for businesses to get permits. This means that it might take a while for Denver coffee shops to look like those in Amsterdam.
