Marijuana Delivery? What Two Colorado Cities Are Considering In 2021
Views may be changing regarding marijuana delivery. Colorado’s largest city and third largest city are now officially considering adding new legislation that will allow recreational marijuana to be delivered to consumers.
With these new laws, residents of Denver and Aurora may soon gain access to recreational marijuana with just a few clicks or taps on their smartphone. This news is especially relevant now, as many recreational marijuana users struggle with accessing their products as a result of the pandemic.
Aurora Tentatively Says Yes
The Aurora City Council gave preliminary approval by an 8-2 vote to marijuana delivery in Colorado’s third-largest city. The vote took place on December 7, but the ordinance requires a second vote, which is scheduled for December 21.
If passed, this marijuana legislation would enable marijuana delivery to begin in early 2021, which would make Aurora one of the first cities in the state where consumers can order recreational marijuana from the comfort of their own home, and have it delivered to their doorstep. Deliveries are likely to take place between 8 AM and 10 PM, and would follow state marijuana purchasing limits of 1 ounce of flower, edibles with max 800 milligrams THC, and 8 grams of concentrate.
This is especially important now, during the global pandemic, as consumers are staying indoors and are reducing their time spent outside, which has also meant a drop in recreational marijuana sales.
Denver’s Process
Denver’s efforts have been slower, however. The city’s Division of Excise and Licenses is also moving towards introducing marijuana delivery. It drafted three bills regarding the topic, along with marijuana consumption at licensed bars, and a plan to align the city’s marijuana regulations with the Colorado Marijuana Code and state rules.
In Denver, delivery licenses would start being issued on July 1, 2021, per the proposed plans. City officials are accepting public comment on the new bills until January 4. Additionally, Denver citizens can access materials from each meeting, such as presentations, minutes, and public comments on the official website. As of yet, there is little information as to what additional regulations will Denver introduce regarding the delivery of recreational marijuana.
Similarities in Plans
Both these plans have very similar topics they cover. For instance, for the first three years in both cities, the programs will be offered to social equity applicants, who are defined as people who’ve been historically targeted or affected by the US’s war on drugs. It gives priority to applicants arrested or even convicted on marijuana-related charges, or who’ve been impacted by marijuana investigations.
Social equity applicants also include people who have lived in an economically-distressed zone (also known as economic opportunity zones) for at least 15 years or those with a household income 50% below the state median. According to the US Census Bureau, the state median family income is estimated at $72,331.
The Colorado legislature in 2019 previously passed a bill allowing recreational marijuana delivery by 2021. The state has to license drivers to plan to deliver for such businesses. Medical marijuana delivery is already available in certain areas in the state, such as Boulder and Longmont, but so far only Aurora and Denver seem to take tangible steps to introduce recreational marijuana delivery as well.
Get your MMJ Card Now
Recreational marijuana delivery is still underway, but until then you may qualify for a medical marijuana license. Medical Alternatives Clinic Online offers medical marijuana evaluations to residents of Colorado Springs.
Want to start the process and get a license? Set an appointment to get your MMJ card, and gain easy access to cannabis in Colorado Springs!
