Denver to License New Cannabis Businesses But Will Exclude Certain Neighborhoods

Denver officials announced on Wednesday they will be accepting licenses for new cannabis businesses as part of the city’s social equity program, but that some neighborhoods will be excluded because they are already oversaturated with cannabis licensees, according to The Denver Post.

It marks the first time since 2016 that Denver will accept new cannabis industry license applications. The city will only be issuing the licenses to delivery, hospitality, retail, and cultivation applicants who qualify as social equity applicants, according to the report.

Citing a high concentration of existing cannabis retail and cultivation location, the list will be updated annually and certain neighborhoods may be removed from consideration. Additionally, the city will not accept license applications located in neighborhoods with an already high concentration of cannabis businesses. New applicants will still be required to follow all zoning restrictions.

“Limiting density of marijuana businesses is a successful tactic Denver has taken to help prevent youth marijuana use. When it becomes commonplace for youth to see marijuana businesses, their perception of risk goes down and they are more likely to use marijuana.” — City spokesperson Eric Escudero, via The Denver Post

Denver‘s top neighborhoods for cannabis retail locations (which are therefore barred from approving any new shops) include:

• Northeast Park Hill (11)
• Baker (10)
• Elyria Swansea (10)
• Five Points (10)
• Valverde (10)

Meanwhile, the top neighborhoods for cultivation/processing density are:

• Montbello (32)
• Northeast Park Hill (32)
• Elyria Swansea (29)
• Overland (23)
• College View-South Platte (18)
• Lincoln Park (18)