Broomfield clears the way for marijuana dispensaries

BROOMFIELD — For years, Broomfield has represented a dispensary desert between the highly concentrated cannabis markets in Denver and Boulder counties. That will soon change. 

The Broomfield City Council, on a 9-1 vote, approved a set of measures Tuesday evening that paves the way for both medical and recreational pot shops to open in the city. Councilwoman Elizabeth Law-Evans was the lone “no” vote.

The new regulations go into effect in May, when Broomfield’s prohibition on marijuana sales expires. Applications to operate dispensaries will begin being accepted in June, with the deadline for submission set for Aug 31.

Initially, three licenses will be approved, with two additional licenses to be granted a year later.  Each of the licenses will be granted to different operators. 

Annual tax revenue from the five dispensaries is expected to exceed $1.1 million, according to Broomfield staff estimates. 

One of the main issues that Broomfield City Council members grappled with Tuesday was how and whether to regulate high-THC products such as vapes, wax and shatter.

Lorraine Trotter, the lone member of the community to speak during a public hearing Tuesday, said she’s worried about concentrated products getting into the hands of young people.

That concern was echoed among some members of the City Council. Others pushed back on the perception that cannabis concentrates are any more dangerous than other marijuana products. 

Ultimately, amendments to restrict the sale of concentrates and to limit the potency of products to less than 30% THC content were shot down by a majority of the board. 

““One of the best things about legalization is that these high-potency items have been regulated,” Councilman William Lindstedt said. 

City Council did pass amendments requiring dispensary operators to confiscate fake IDs if a minor attempts to use one to buy pot, and limiting advertising and signage. 

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