vaping

Denver Voters Pass Onsite Consumption Initiative

November 28, 2016 by Zoe Wilder Leave a Comment

The New Regulation Will Enable Some Local Businesses To Apply For “Social Use” Permits

Passed this election cycle, Denver Initiative 300, the “Neighborhood-Supported Social Cannabis Consumption Initiative,” a policy type known industry-wide as “Social Use,” allows businesses to seek a permit for cannabis consumption on premises. This makes Denver one of the first cities in the United States to manifest something remotely similar to Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes.

Beginning in January 2017, Denver businesses can apply for annual temporary permits enabling regular businesses to allow bring-your-own cannabis and over-21 indoor vaping and edible consumption, and/or outdoor cannabis smoking. The new initiative is structured as an early pilot program which could eventually template the implementation of social use regulations state-wide.

Still, a few caveats exist.

The new Denver initiative will not allow businesses that serve alcohol, or activities requiring a liquor license, to apply. This rules out most bars, restaurants, some event venues and even public events which plan to serve alcohol. However, talks of yoga studios, galleries, cafes and private clubs able to apply are motivating these local businesses and others to seek permits. As it remains under state law, licensed recreational cannabis businesses, like dispensaries, still can’t allow social use consumption on premises.

Business seeking an onsite Social Use permit will have to obtain the approval of nearby neighbors plus the support of their local business association in order to apply. At this time, it’s uncertain just how many businesses will attempt licensure and how long it will take to receive local support and subsequent permitting. It may be several months into 2017 before social use comes online throughout Denver. Nonetheless, “Amsterdam-style” coffee shops, yoga studios, maybe even movie theaters should soon be reality, so long as they don’t sell cannabis or alcohol.

Additionally, all Social Use permitted businesses will have to adhere to the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, a state regulation that prohibits smoking in nearly all public indoor areas. Businesses may create indoor consumption areas so long as they are not for smoking; vaporizing cannabis and consuming BYO edibles is permissible. Businesses will be able to designate outdoor consumption areas so long as the business prevents unwanted odors of cannabis from reaching people outside.

It’s also possible businesses may be able to push for traditional “cigar bar” licensing and designate an indoor smoking section with an added cigar bar permit.

Participating businesses are required to develop operations plans outlining training and security protocols meant to prevent the underage use of cannabis. Written policy and procedures for handling and preventing highly intoxicated consumers must exist as well.

While early regulations may complicate permitting, many of the particulars will play out as the permitting process begins to take effect. The initiative is open to change and amendments as Denver’s early pilot program rolls out.

Elsewhere, Alaska currently has Social Use regulations in place to allow on-site consumption at retail cannabis stores. However, Alaska initiatives are still quite young, the first cannabis retailers only began opening throughout the state in October 2016. The implementation of Alaska’s onsite consumption regulations are still under review.

California, Massachusetts, and Maine all have new recreational cannabis regulations about to set in place and each will soon consider how to implement Social Use consumption. At this time, Social Use remains prohibited throughout Oregon, Washington and Nevada.

With an expedient implementation of the new Social Use initiative, Denver will be the first U.S. city where people can legally consume cannabis in traditional business establishments.

Photo Credit: David Rodriguez

HELL NO! WE…Don’t Know Where To Go To Consume Cannabis?

April 6, 2016 by Brittany Driver Leave a Comment

HELL NO! WE…don’t know where to go.

A Case for Vapor Lounges.

I I just read an article in The Cannabist by Ed Murrieta—- about places to go vaporize pot in San Francisco, California. There were at least five places in the city where a person can either purchase cannabis and use it in their lounge or just show up with their own herb and use it on site.

They are called “Vapor Lounges” and you have to be a state resident and a medical patient to use them in California. They are in Canada too, it’s not a new concept really. And I’m really starting to wonder…what gives Denver?

We are clearly leading the pack when it comes to laying the groundwork for marijuana’s reintroduction to the market as a legal and recreational product – why are we still behaving as though it needs to be consumed only behind dark curtains or in basements?

Denver area residents and tourists alike need a safe legal place to consume cannabis. In truth, Colorado as a whole needs it. When you make a substance legal without providing a legal way to consume that substance – you are asking for illegal activities. It is a gaping hole in the cannabis policy in Colorado and it needs to be rectified.

Dixie Elixirs & Edibles, Colorado Cannabis Week’s Official Sponsor

March 29, 2016 by CCT Staff Leave a Comment

Colorado Cannabis Tours is pleased to announce Dixie Elixirs & Edibles as our official tour sponsor for Colorado Cannabis Week April 16-23. Throughout the week Dixie representatives will be on our tours to answer your questions and distribute special offers on products and 420 events in Denver.

Dixie is a Denver-based company with an amazing reputation and diverse product line; and has been leading the industry in innovation, research and education since 2010. They have a wide selection of products for both medical and recreational use including their Elixirs, Chocolates, and Mints. Dixie also offers an incredible, all-natural line of topical products for localized relief and comfort. Dixie is quickly expanding in to new markets around the country.

When CCT founder Mike Eymer first started this company, he immediately received a congratulatory phone call from Dixie’s founder Tripp Keber. It meant a lot to him, and it makes this collaboration meaningful to our company. We are very excited to be working with Dixie during this holiday week in Denver.

Why Vaping Won’t Stop Joint Smoking.

March 28, 2016 by Brittany Driver Leave a Comment

In early March I finally saw an article I’d been waiting to see for some time. One that really spoke to my point of view on a particular subject. And there it was, on cannabis centric media website Civilized, In Defense of Joints: 7 Reasons Vaping Won’t Replace Smoking.

I was ecstatic -no -beyond thrilled to see this article. Because while I know vaping is generally accepted as the safest way ingest cannabis, I do NOT think it will wipe out the decades – no – centuries old tradition of smoking a fatty. It just will not happen.

John Wenzel of The Cannabist put it in his own words in an article published in 2014 entitled Why Vaping Is The Dumbest Thing Ever. In it, Wenzel laments on how the word itself, “vape” irritates him and mentions that the high is not nearly as powerful as when one smokes the herb. I tend to agree. Though I also realize cannabis is very much a “To Each Their Own” kind of situation, I just know what I prefer.

Here are our 3 favorites of the 7 reasons Civilized (and I ) think that vaping will NOT replace smoking.

1. “The Low Overhead”

Vape pens aren’t cheap. Oil cartridges aren’t cheap. And who knows what the hell they are mixing with it to keep it all runny and viscous like that. Just sayin. Flower is much less expensive and papers or a sturdy pipe are both budget buys.

2. “The Ritual”

Rolling a joint is not something everyone can do, but for those who can the ritual is a much appreciated moment in the day. Whether it takes you 1 minutes or 10, each step of the rolling process is a chance to take a break out of the day and relax.

3. “Multi-Sensory Engagement”

“Rolling a joint engages all five senses: from the smell of ground herb, to its sensation between your fingers, to the the crinkle of the paper and flick of the lighter, to the taste of the green as you inhale, it’s a full-body experience. That’s what makes marijuana so enticing – that sense of generous indulgence.”