Denver’s First Social Equity Consumption Lounge Receives License

Tetra Lounge in Denver became the first social equity applicant to be licensed as a cannabis consumption lounge this week, pending inspections, according to a 9NEWS report.

Such lounges used to operate in Denver but after cannabis industry reforms in 2021, private companies were required to secure a license from the city to allow on-site consumption. Previously, Tetra Lounge had operated as a consumption lounge but had to close its doors following the new license requirements — after finally getting the license on Monday, however, owner Dewayne Benjamin told 9NEWS that he hopes to have the lounge open for business by 4/20.

“Getting the license really gives us the foundation to grow and keep establishing new experiences within the cannabis hospitality realm. There’s still a lot of financial aspects that kind of hinder a lot of businesses, but having the opportunity and the input into the industry I think is going to be very beneficial especially with new markets.” — Benjamin, in the report

Tetra Lounge will accept patrons at three different membership levels: daily membership will cost $20, monthly membership will cost $50, and annual membership will cost $350. The business will operate on a BYOC model, or “bring your own cannabis.”

Denver is currently issuing new cannabis licenses with an initial focus on social equity applicants. Two other proposed social equity establishments — the Patterson Inn and the Denver Weed Lounge — are still being considered by the city.

Meanwhile, the Tetra Lounge is set to join Denver’s only other operating cannabis lounge, The Coffee Joint, which received its license last week despite not being a social equity applicant because the city rules also prioritize pre-existing cannabis companies —The Coffee Joint was initially licensed by the city in 2018.