Colorado officials proposed a bill that reached Governor John Hickenlooper’s desk which would allow the licensing of public cannabis cafes where consumers could consume small amounts of marijuana. If passed, this bill would be the first in the nation of this stature. Unfortunately it was vetoed by Gov. Hickenlooper.

The industry’s battle of establishing laws that would allow consumers to be able to purchase and use marijuana in licensed facilities continues. Massachusetts considered cannabis cafes when it legalized marijuana but they decided to put that debate on the back burner until possibly 2019.

The biggest argument for cannabis cafes is adults are able to drink alcohol day and night in bars so the same rights should be granted to marijuana users. Hickenlooper counters that unlike alcohol there are no marijuana tests to measure a person’s intoxication level and determine if one has over-consumed.

Denver is fighting this ruling by pushing forward a new law that passed by voters in 2016, which would allow the city of Denver to grant licenses for establishments that allow medical marijuana to be used on premises.

May the good fight continue..