The latest proposal aimed at setting marijuana industry caps in Denver won a test vote Monday in the City Council’s second attempt at finding common ground on an issue that has pitted entrepreneurs against vocal neighborhood advocates.
The council voted 8-3 to give initial approval. A final vote is set for next Monday.
Councilwoman Robin Kniech had refiled a tweaked version of her original bill, which was killed April 11 by a 6-6 deadlock.
With 11 of 13 members attending Monday, the council also amended the bill, on Rafael Espinoza’s motion, to require that applicants for marijuana licenses submit “good neighbor” plans that specify how they will reach out to nearby neighborhood groups, residents and businesses, positively impact the community and address concerns that arise after the business opens.
After three months of special committee meetings and last week’s stalemate, the test vote appeared to pave the way for final approval.
The new caps would freeze the number of locations of marijuana shops and eventually reduce the number of grow houses by 15. They would replace a temporary city moratorium that has barred new entrants to the medical and recreational markets. That moratorium expires May 1. [Read more at The Denver Post]
