DENVER — These days, it’s easier than ever to get something delivered to your front door. In Denver, that includes marijuana.
The city legalized marijuana delivery in 2021, paving the way for entrepreneurs like Michael Diaz-Rivera to start delivery companies like Better Days Delivery.
“I understand the privilege I have just to be in the position I’m in,” Diaz-Rivera said. “We in Colorado still have people in jail because of the plant, and I’m able to sell it and make money off of it and hopefully send my kids to college.”
A handful of licensed drivers can partner with dispensaries across Denver and make heavily regulated deliveries to homes.
People cannot order delivery from hotels or businesses, and only people who meet social equity requirements can qualify for a transporter license.
Diaz-Rivera meets the criteria because of a marijuana-related conviction from 2006, when he was just 19 years old, and before Colorado legalized marijuana.
“I was riding around, it was a Friday night, I was with some friends. We get pulled over by the police, they pull us out of the vehicle, they search us, and inside my vehicle they find some weed,” he said. “That gave them enough to charge me with intent to distribute, I went to jail, and I eventually plead down and got felony for possession.”
17 years later, Diaz-Rivera’s marijuana journey has come full circle.
“I’m delivering weed, just like I used to do it as a teenager, just now I’m legal,” he said.
Last year, Diaz-Rivera made 932 deliveries, making him the third busiest delivery company in Denver.
City-wide, 11,518 deliveries were made, an average of just over 30 per day.
“I think consumers have been slow to pick up on this and hey, this is even available,” said Eric Escudero with Denver Excise and Licenses.
Escudero says 2024 delivery numbers are up so far from 2023 numbers, a sign the industry may be starting to takeoff.
“We’re starting to see an uptick in delivery, so hopefully these businesses that have these licenses to do delivery, they can succeed and one day thrive so the folks one day most impacted by prohibition, they finally get a piece of the economic pie that marijuana has brought to Colorado,” Escudero said.
Diaz-Rivera says he’s hoping people will begin to appreciate the ease and privacy of delivery, as he looks to become the top transporter in Denver.
“Is it worth it? Yes. Have I made enough to support my family? Not quite yet,” he said. “But better days are on the way. I’m paying my monthly bills and that’s all I can ask for now, and soon I’ll be sending my kids to college.”
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