Denver city officials are set to consider making cannabis delivery licenses permanently exclusive to social equity applicants. The move would give a leg up to entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds who have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.
If approved, the measure would create a new category of cannabis delivery license specifically reserved for social equity applicants. They would also be given first priority for any new cannabis delivery licenses issued by the city.
The proposal is being pushed by the Department of Excise and Licenses, and would give preferential treatment to businesses that have been disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition. This would include companies that are owned by women, minorities, or veterans.
The city will be reserving all new licenses for social applicants over the next five years. There are certain qualifications that must be met:
- Reside in a disproportionately impacted area of Colorado for at least 15 years between 1980 and 2010.
- Have an arrest related to cannabis or a criminal record.
- Have a household income in the prior year of application that did not exceed 50% of the state’s median income.
There have been a total of 22 social equity licenses approved and out of those 14 were for some forms of transportation.
According to Denver AXIOS, the ordinance also slashes licensing fees for social equity delivery companies and the retailers they partner with.
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