Denver officials banned pot use in restaurants and bars.
A new state law has banned pot use in many restaurants and bars in Denver, while liquor retailers are not allowed to apply for a permit.
The new rule was approved Friday by the Liquor Enforcement Division of the Colorado Department of Revenue, and it will take effects on the 1st of January, 2017. Although pot use was initially approved, voters will have to deal with the new regulations.
While the officials from the national Marijuana Policy Project are disappointed, those from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving hail the decision because they were worried regarding the consequences of marijuana impairment and alcohol on the roads.
According to Fran Lanzer, state executive director of MADD, “Detecting the combined impairment from marijuana and alcohol would be very difficult for servers at bars and restaurants.”
The officials announced that Initiative 300 would be a possible alternative. This law will support a pilot program of four years, time during which many businesses will be allowed to obtain a permit for separate pot use areas.
Initiative 300 will require businesses to prove that they are supported by the neighborhood before they can get a license for pot use. Patrons will be restricted from smoking marijuana indoors, and they will have to provide their own pot.
Although there are still other restrictions, marijuana use is allowed in some outdoor areas. It is not sure when Initiative 300 will be implemented, so the supporters of this law will have to wait at least two years.
There are many people across the United States who are still against the legalization of marijuana, especially because many kids have been hospitalized after being exposed to the cannabis smoke.
Public health specialists explain that even if adults smoke marijuana and experience no immediate consequences, it has a harmful effect on children whose brain and lungs aren’t fully developed.
Also, experts underline that pot use can deteriorate gums and increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions, although many people claim that it has no side-effects. Authorities in several states are also on high alert, while officers are trained to detect drivers who experience marijuana impairment. Therefore, they will be able to reduce the number of car accidents.
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