The city of Denver has approved hospitality licenses that will allow people to consume marijuana in some businesses.
The city is approving a new hospitality establishment license so people can legally consume cannabis products on site.
Denver started accepting applications in November and approved the first license this month.
Before this move, people in the city could consume cannabis legally outside of their home if it was at a private social club that operated on a membership.
Denver approved a license for an existing private club in Rino called Tetra Lounge on Monday, pending successful completion of required inspections. Its owner, Dewayne Benjamin, hopes to open a consumption lounge before 4/20.
Tetra Lounge became the first social equity applicant in Denver approved for a hospitality establishment license, pending inspections. The business will now be designated as a legal and safe place to consume marijuana in Denver.
Denver is solely focused on social equity applicants for this licensing to make the industry more diverse and accessible.
“Getting the license really gives us the foundation to grow and keep establishing new experiences within the cannabis hospitality realm,” said Benjamin. “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 will charge patrons with a membership fee: $20 for a daily membership, $50 for a month and $350 for a year. His location will be open for locals and visitors.
“If you are only here for a day you are welcomed to stop in to the daily membership and that will give you access to the full day,” he said.
When Tetra Lounge completes the required inspections, they will become the second operating hospitality establishment in Denver, next to the Coffee Joint.
