Denver Loosens Its Pot Laws Even More

As five more states voted to legalize recreational marijuana last week, Denver took it a step further: A ballot measure to allow social marijuana use has narrowly passed, according to vote count updates released Tuesday, the Denver Post reports. The measure will allow marijuana use in "consumption areas" at businesses including bars, cafes, and even yoga studios. Colorado was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana, but public consumption remained banned. Backers of the latest measure described it as a way to give tourists—and residents whose landlords ban pot—a place to legally smoke or vape marijuana.

"This is a victory for cannabis consumers who, like alcohol consumers, simply want the option to enjoy cannabis in social settings," said Kayvan Khalatbari, who co-owns a marijuana business and was the measure's main supporter. Under the four-year pilot program, which supporters hope will serve as an example for the rest of the country, "pot patios" could spring up at bars and other businesses, though state law bans the consumption of marijuana at places that sell it, KREM reports. And because Colorado law bans smoking in almost all indoor public areas, you still won't be able to smoke a joint at a bar—unless it's a cigar bar. (More marijuana legalization stories.)