DENVER — It's pretty easy to find marijuana in Denver. The problem is, there's nowhere to smoke it in public.
Three companies have applied for the city's new marijuana mobile hospitality license, which allows people to legally smoke weed while riding a bus. The Cannabis Experience was the first recipient of the new license.
"For now, it's bring your own weed, and if they don't have their own weed it is fine because we are headed to Native Roots where they can pick up," said Sarah Woodson, co-owner of The Cannabis Experience in RiNo.
The bus stops at a dispensary, then takes passengers on an art tour in RiNo or a ride to see the sights in downtown. Woodson hopes to expand her business with rides to and from Denver International Airport.
"It's really about having access to safe legal consumption while in a vehicle," Woodson said.
A legal way to smoke outside the home comes with strict rules. Licensees must ensure consumption isn't visible outside the car. Routes must be planned in advance, and the car must have ventilation that prevents air from getting to the driver.
"This is not just, OK, we can smoke weed on a bus. No. There is no place to smoke weed here. We can come, and we can pick you up," Woodson said.
This business model in Denver right now is only available to applicants who meet social equity criteria. To qualify, an applicant must meet one of the following:
- The applicant resided for at least 15 years between 1980 and 2010 in certain neighborhoods.
- The applicant or applicant's family member was arrested for a marijuana offense, convicted of a marijuana offense, or was subject to a civil asset forfeiture related to a marijuana investigation.
- The applicant’s household income in the previous year was less than 50% of the state median income for that household size.
The idea is to make the industry more diverse and accessible.
"It's an opportunity for small Black and brown businesses to finally get a piece of a billion-dollar industry," Woodson said.
The Cannabis Experience and one other business, Colorado Cannabis Tours, have this license. A third company, Canna CabanaBus, is waiting on approval.
Alisha Gallegos, the owner, has a different business model. She plans to offer 15-minute smoke rides at Coors Field during baseball games, at concerts at Ball Arena, and at other events around the city.
She plans to park the bus at these events so people can hop on and then go back to their party.
Her goal is to mitigate public consumption practices.
"What we need to do is be respectful to everybody, especially in public spaces where there are kids," Gallegos said. "This protects the venues so people are not smoking on property."
Gallegos plans to start out with one bus before expanding the fleet. She hopes to kick off her business this summer.
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