Councilwoman Debbie Ortega initially proposed the idea of banning marijuana advertisements and sign twirlers near schools, daycares and parks to several marijuana industry groups last month. She says most groups were receptive to her plan, but the Medical Marijuana Industry Group wanted to take the idea further. But Ortega preferred her original concept.
The current bill would amend medical marijuana code in Denver to prohibit medical marijuana advertising and signage within 1,000 feet -- or about 27 school buses parked end to end -- of schools, childcare centers and parks. The distance would be measured from the advertising to the property line of the park, school or daycare. Businesses that are within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare or park will be allowed to have a sign on their building, but that's it.
Green spaces such as parkways and the Cherry Creek bike path, which technically fall under auspices of Denver Parks and Recreation, would be exempt from the rule. The law would also allow for medical marijuana centers to put up signs when sponsoring charitable events, like with the Clinic's annual golf tournament in City Park."Prohibition against advertising of medical marijuana products in proximity to locations where minors tend to congregate serves the compelling government interest in preserving and protecting the health, safety and general welfare of this most vulnerable segment of the population," Ortega wrote in the bill.
The Business, Workforce and Sustainability committee meets at 1:30 p.m. June 6 in room 309 at the Denver City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street.
More from our Marijuana archive: "Medical marijuana: CO Supreme Court ruling leaves patients unprotected, plaintiffs say" and "Medical marijuana dispensary review: The Medicine Man in Denver."
