Marijuana laws, rules, and regulations

The city issues these new medical or retail marijuana business licenses or permits:

• Medical marijuana delivery permit
• Medical marijuana products manufacturer license
• Medical marijuana testing facility license
• Medical marijuana transporter license
• Medical marijuana off-premises storage facility permit
• Marijuana research and development license
• Retail marijuana store license
• Retail marijuana delivery permit
• Retail marijuana cultivation facility license
• Retail marijuana products manufacturer license
• Retail marijuana testing facility license
• Retail marijuana transporter license
• Retail marijuana off-premises storage facility permit

The city no longer issues new business licenses for:

• Medical marijuana stores
• Medical marijuana cultivation facilities

Visit the Medical and Retail Marijuana Licenses and Permits webpage to learn more about how to apply for a marijuana license or permit.

Denver laws, rules, and regulations

• The Denver Marijuana Code contains laws adopted by Denver City Council governing marijuana businesses. (Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 6, Article V)
• Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection Rules Governing Cannabis Storage and Service Windows(PDF, 359KB) are applicable to marijuana stores and retail marijuana hospitality and sales businesses. Consult the Safe Storage Worksheet(PDF, 194KB) to help you determine whether your business is in compliance with the rules for cannabis storage.
• For rules, regulations, and guidance related to public health, visit the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment's cannabis consumer protection website.
• Marijuana businesses must follow all tax obligations in the City and County of Denver. Visit the Denver Department of Finance's business taxes website for more information, including a marijuana tax guide(PDF, 302KB).
• Marijuana businesses must follow the Denver Zoning Code and the Denver Building and Fire Code.
• Marijuana businesses in Denver must follow certain advertising restrictions. To learn more see information about marijuana advertising in Denver.

Colorado laws, rules, and regulations

• The Colorado Marijuana Code contains laws adopted by the Colorado General Assembly governing marijuana businesses. (Colorado Revised Statutes Title 44, Article 10)
• The Colorado Marijuana Rules adopted by the State Licensing Authority supplement the laws passed by the Colorado General Assembly. These administrative rules carry the weight of law.
• The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division issues position statements, compliance tips, and industry bulletins as guidance for marijuana businesses.

Where can I find state and Denver advertising rules? 

• Denver’s advertising rules can be found in Section 6-224 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code.
• The state’s advertising rules can be found in the 3-700 Series of Permanent Regulated Marijuana Rules.

What does “advertising” mean?

• The Denver Marijuana Code defines advertise, advertising, or advertisement as the act of drawing the public's attention to a medical or retail marijuana business in order to promote the sale of cannabis by a medical or retail marijuana business or consumption of marijuana in a marijuana business.

As a marijuana business, what kind of advertising am I allowed to do in Denver?

• You can have a fixed sign located on the same zone lot as your marijuana business solely for the purpose of identifying the location of the business. The sign must comply with the Denver Zoning Code and any other applicable city laws and regulations.
• You can advertise in a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical of general circulation within the city. You can also place paid advertisements in a newsletter distributed by a registered neighborhood organization, business improvement district or other similar community or neighborhood organization.
  • State rules require that in order for a medical marijuana business to advertise in any form of media, at least 71.6 percent of the audience must be reasonably expected to be at least the age of 18. For a retail marijuana business to advertise in any form of media, at least 71.6 percent of the audience must be reasonably expected to be at least the age of 21.

• If you sponsor a charitable event, advertising of your business that is purely incidental to sponsorship of that event is permissible. This could include the name or logo of your business in event materials or temporary signs and banners displayed at and during the event. However, under no circumstances can this include a billboard.
  • State rules require that the retail marijuana business has reliable evidence that at least 71.6% of the audience at the event and/or viewing advertising in connection with the event is reasonably expected to be at least the age of 21 or that the medical marijuana business has reliable evidence that 71.6 percent of the audience at the event and/or viewing advertising in connection with the event is reasonably expected to be at least the age of 18.

• Apparel, consumer goods, or paraphernalia containing a marijuana business's name, logo, or distinct design features are allowed. However, apparel, consumer goods, or paraphernalia may not contain any other advertising of the marijuana business.
  • The Denver Marijuana Code defines consumer goods as goods primarily used for personal, family, or household purposes. This does not include vehicles.

As a marijuana business, what kind of advertising am I not allowed to do in Denver?

The following kinds of advertising are not allowed: 

• Advertising that is visible to members of the public from any street, sidewalk, park or other public place. 

  Advertising using any of the following media:

  • Any billboard or other outdoor general advertising device as defined by the zoning code;
  • Any sign mounted on a vehicle;
  • Any hand-held or other portable sign; or
  • Any handbill, leaflet or flier distributed in a public place, left upon a motor vehicle, or posted upon any public or private property.

Why do some state advertising rules differ from Denver’s advertising rules?

• Local jurisdictions may further restrict marijuana advertising. In the event that a state rule differs from a local rule, the stricter rule applies.

What if I see a marijuana business advertisement that does not appear to comply with Denver’s rules?

• Confirm that the advertisement is located in Denver. Neighboring jurisdictions may have different advertising rules than Denver. You may submit complaints using this contact form. Please note the location and, if possible, provide a photo of the advertisement.

The information in this document reflects Denver’s marijuana advertising laws and should be used for guidance purposes only. State law may contain additional requirements for marijuana advertising.

 Can a vendor sell or distribute marijuana at a special event?

• No.

Can attendees consume marijuana at a special event?

• No. Public consumption of marijuana is prohibited except in licensed marijuana hospitality businesses.

What types of marijuana advertising are prohibited at special events?

• Any advertising that is visible to members of the public from any street, sidewalk, park or other public place, including advertising using any of the following:
  • Any billboard or other outdoor general advertising device as defined by the zoning code;
  • Any sign mounted on a vehicle;
  • Any handheld or portable sign (e.g., sign spinners or sandwich boards); or
  • Any handbill, leaflet, or flier distributed in a public place, left on a car, or posted on public or private property.

What types of marijuana advertising are permitted at special events?

• Marijuana businesses may distribute apparel, consumer goods, or paraphernalia containing a marijuana business’s name, logo, or distinct design features, but no other advertising of the marijuana business. Consumer goods are goods primarily used for personal, family, or household purposes. Some permissible items are t-shirts, hats, water bottles, keychains, lanyards, lighters, and other similar goods. Consumer goods does not include vehicles. Additionally, any advertisement contained within a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical of general circulation is permitted.

What if the event is on private property?

• Marijuana businesses may display any signage or advertising at events on private property so long as such advertising is not visible to the public from a public place.

Can a marijuana business advertise at a charitable event that the business is sponsoring?

• Advertising that is purely incidental to sponsorship of a charitable event is permitted. This may include the name or logo of the marijuana business in event materials (such as programs and maps) or temporary signs and banners displayed at and during the event. Billboards are not permitted under any circumstances.