Attention Medical Marijuana Business Owners,

The Denver City Council is considering a ban on outdoor advertising of MMJ. Only you can stop it.

The ban was proposed months ago. It was supported by others in the industry. We tried to negotiate a very limited proposal but those efforts failed. Cannabis Business Alliance is now the only MMJ trade association to be in opposition to the ban. We need you to add your voice. Don’t let others play politics with your business.

The bill, CB 586 is going to be heard on Monday. Please ACT RIGHT NOW to ask your Councilmembers to OPPOSE the bill. One association does not represent the industry, and only you can convince the Council otherwise.

UPDATE: ACT4CO, another mmj trade association, has joined us in opposition!

The Issue

One of the main principles of the new leadership in Denver is to make it easier to do business with the city. And yet here we sit with a convoluted and unclear proposal that affects the livelihood of your business and the patients you serve. All we need are simple rules to follow.

We were told that citizens didn’t like sign-spinners advertising free joints. We agreed. We were told that constituents complained about billboards with offensive pictures and “pot” leafs. Ok. Council complained about handbills and fliers placed on cars near schools advertising the price of marijuana for sale. Yes, the industry has the same complaints. These are not widely used methods of advertising in the industry, so it wouldn’t have been difficult to get behind a ban on those three mediums … no billboards, no sign-spinners, no handbills. Easy to follow, easy to enforce.

Councilwoman Ortega and Councilman Herndon returned a city-wide ban on outdoor advertising, mentioning those methods. The legislation makes a few exceptions to the ban: a directional sign on your zone lot; advertisements in newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals; and sponsorship of charitable events. Basically, advertising will now be the exception rather than the rule. This was supported by others in the industry as well as unions. Political expediency won over good public policy.

Beyond some signage, what else can’t you do under this legislation? You cannot have a booth at any community event that is not for a charity. No street fairs, no music festivals, no art shows. Also, your business cannot sponsor such events and have your logo on the posters. Someone may see it and know you are selling medical marijuana. Reasonable minds disagree if you can have t-shirts, hats, stickers, lighters, or anything else advertising your business that could be seen in public. That is not a risk worth taking.

We have been told that much of this is unenforceable. We are left wondering what problem is being solved with a city-wide ban. Ask the Council to go back to the table. We are not making unreasonable requests. Our businesses are part of this community and should be treated as such. Don’t let one association speak for you. Speak out, sign the petition. Ask the Council to VOTE NO!

Please read the history of this ordinance here. http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2012/06/medical_marijuana_ad_regulations_denver.php

How Can You Help?

It is important that you reach out to the Denver City Council and show up for the hearing.

1.Tell City Council

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Name of Business

Subject

Your Message
Councilmembers Brooks, Ortega, Herndon and Kneich, I am writing to ask that you Oppose CB 12-0584, the medical marijuana advertising regulation. I am a small business owner in your community. I pay my taxes, employ Denver residents, and provide important medicine to the patients I serve. I sell medical marijuana. I comply with hundreds of pages of laws and regulations. I understand that are considering outlawing the outdoor advertisement of my business and the product I sell, with a few exceptions. While the legislation is clear about what is allowed, the prohibitions are vague. And if I unintentionally violate this ordinance due to an enforcement agent’s subjective interpretation of the law, it affects my ability to be issued or renew my license. As a responsible business owner, I share the same complaints you have regarding sign-spinners and other questionable public tactics. But this bill goes too far. I am happy to work with you to come up with a reasonable proposal that allows me to continue to advertise and market my business to medical marijuana patients, while addressing your concerns about a few very public displays. A proposal that is clear and enforceable so I can easily follow that law and protect my license. Until that proposal is crafted, I am asking you to oppose CB 12-0584 as drafted. Thank you,

Are you a patient, employee, or community member in opposition to the ban? Add your name to the petition.

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Subject

Your Message
As Denver residents we are opposed to CB 586 – The Outdoor Advertising Regulation for MMJ Businesses. We have repeatedly heard from our elected officials that Denver is working to make it easier to do business in our City. This proposal runs counter to that promise. Businesses in violation of an overly broad and subjective law will be at risk for losing their licenses. This is not a simple fine a well-meaning shop owner will have to pay. They can lose their business and the patients they serve will lose their access to their medication. It sends the wrong message for the City to say on the one hand that medical cannabis is a legitimate industry and a legitimate thing people should talk to their doctors about and use if it's recommended, and on the other hand to say we're ashamed to advertise it where it can be seen. There is a more reasonable solution. Go back to the table. Oppose CB 586. Thank you,

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