Denver Office of Marijuana Policy Discusses Social Equity Plan

The Office of Marijuana Policy will be holding two information sessions during the month of May, one on May 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the second on May 6 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held over Zoom.

These information sessions will be focused on answering stakeholder’s questions regarding the city’s social equity plans and licensing process for cannabis business owners. Representatives from Denver’s Office of Economic Development and Opportunity will share information on business support resources for entrepreneurs and will seek feedback from attendees on additional services and support that would benefit them. Representatives from the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division will also be available to answer questions.

Denver’s Marijuana Social Equity program aims to promote the inclusion of those who have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. The program’s work includes exploring a variety of tactics including the continued use of cannabis tax revenue to support low and moderate-income neighborhoods, obtaining data related to the marijuana industry, vacating low-level cannabis convictions, and identifying areas of need in workforce development and licensing ownership.

Additionally, the city has gathered a diverse group of volunteers to gather community and marijuana industry input on the City’s long-term plan to support a highly successful social equity program. Denver has also held five clinics and invested more than $25,000 in City resources to create the “Turn Over a New Leaf” program which aims to clear and seal low-level cannabis convictions.

From 2015 to 2019, the city has dedicated more than 10 million dollars from Denver’s special sales tax on recreational cannabis to fund free after-school and summer programs for youth with a focus on underserved communities. This education funding also includes support for diversion programs, with a high focus on high-need areas in Denver.

Cannabis tax dollars are helping to upgrade parks and recreation centers in Denver, including the opening of Denver’s first truly urban-style recreation center called the Carla Madison Recreation Center in 2018. Funding for this recreation center included $3.2 million from cannabis tax proceeds.