Future Of Marijuana Smoking Clubs Could Be Decided By Voters

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DENVER (CBS4)- The potential for marijuana social clubs cleared another hurdle in April.

The group Responsible Use Denver announced Monday it received approval from Denver for a sample ballot measure. The group plans to collect more than 4,726 signatures by August 15 in order to get the issue on the November ballot.

File photo of man smoking marijuana joint. (Credit: Miguel Schincariol/AFP/Getty Images)

If approved by voters, the City of Denver would license and regulate private smoking clubs and events. The clubs would not be allowed to distribute or sell marijuana and wouldn't be allowed to let anyone under the age of 21 into its establishment. Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are not allowed to be licensed for marijuana consumption.

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"Denver voters want this and we are going to make it happen," said Denver NORML Executive Director Jordan Person, who also is serving as Executive Director of Responsible Use Denver. "Denver residents and visitors deserve the right to enjoy legal marijuana with like-minded adults in social settings."

Responsible Use Denver met with the mayor's office and says the city was involved in discussions regarding the language for the sample ballot.

The city will assign the issue a ballot number after the collected signatures are validated.

Jeff Todd joined the CBS4 team in 2011 covering the Western Slope in the Mountain Newsroom. Since 2015 he's been working across the Front Range in the Denver Headquarters. Follow him on Twitter @CBS4Jeff.