Colorado Senate Votes 25 to 10 to Legalize Private Marijuana Clubs
Earlier today Colorado’s full Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 184.
The proposal “authorizes the operation of a private marijuana club” if the “local jurisdiction has authorized clubs”, with marijuana clubs being defined as ” a membership-based club not accessible to the general public that operates to allow members to consume retail or medical marijuana on the premises”.
The House of Representatives must now pass the bill before it can be sent to Governor John Hickenlooper.
The proposed law establishes the following rules for cannabis clubs:
- All members and employees of the club must be 21 years of age or older;
- A club owner must be a resident of Colorado for at least 2 years prior to owning the club;
- The club’s employees must be Colorado residents;
- The club cannot sell or serve alcohol or food;
- A club owner shall not sell marijuana on the premises [everyone must bring their own]; and
- A club owner shall not permit the sale or exchange of marijuana for remuneration on the premises.
Governor Hickenlooper – who opposed marijuana legalization when it was on the ballot in 2012 – has hinted that he may veto the measure if an amendment isn’t made to ban smoking at the clubs, which advocates say is necessary to give tourist and those who live in places where they can’t smoke at home a legal place to consume the plant. Those in favor of legalizing private marijuana clubs where cannabis can be consumed by members should contact Governor Hickenlooper and urge him to support Senate Bill 184 as-is; you can find his contact information by clicking here.
