There has been little legislation to address how adults, “authorized” to consume cannabis, will do so anywhere other than in the privacy of their own home. Alaska and Maine’s recreational bills included language for potential approval of public use, but Denver as a city is the first to officially approve “social clubs.” While marijuana bars, known as “dispensaries”, have been popping up all around the country, as a place consumers can purchase, laws have otherwise stated “no public consumption,” forcing users to go, and stay, at home.
The bill, recently approved by the Colorado Senate, allows local jurisdictions to permit bring-your-own pot clubs, as long as those establishments don’t serve alcohol or any food beyond light snacks. They also can not also be, a dispensary. Gov. John Hickenlooper is hinting that he’ll veto the recent measure unless it bans indoor smoking.
Sponsors of the bill say clubs should be allowed because Colorado already has a network of underground, unregulated pot clubs, and regulators aren’t sure how to treat them.
Providing a place for people to consume marijuana, while socializing, relaxing, shopping or simply not being judged, could help alleviate complaints that associated with the real impacts of “public consumption”.
Smoking is not a habit we want to encourage for children, many are bothered by the smell of marijuana and some may be offended for religious or moral reasons. As to provide comfort for both those consuming marijuana and those who choose not to, providing a safe place for marijuana consumption is bound to be one of the larger topics in the industry in the upcoming years.
For more, checkout one California journalists opinions on the Marijuana clubs approved in Colorado Senate:: Marijuana clubs approved in Colorado Senate – Sacramento, CA
