Now that cannabis has made the leap into the mainstream in a number of U.S. states, industry lines are blurring as cannabis business owners design and implement new and innovative concepts. One of these exciting cannabis business concepts is marijuana nightlife, a newly emerging industry trend that’s changing the way consumers experience recreational cannabis.

Colorado: Introducing the Concept of Social Pot Use

Colorado is leading the charge towards the idea of “social pot,” continuing to uphold its position as one of the most progressive states in the cannabis arena. Interestingly, although cannabis has had a solid presence in Colorado for years, it’s only now that the social pot movement is really gaining steam.

Retail marijuana has been legal in Colorado since late 2012, with official sales beginning in 2014. However, the state has so far declined to tackle the task of regulating social pot use. Although Amendment 64, which legalized recreational cannabis, forbids the “open and public” use of marijuana, there is no clear idea of what “open and public” actually looks like. Over the years, there were several attempts to legalize social-based businesses such as dispensary tasting rooms and marijuana lounges, all of which were blocked by the Colorado General Assembly. Very few local governments have attempted to broach the issue, with just one creating a license application system designed for social-use cannabis businesses – and of those applications, only two have been approved since 2017.

Progress Being Made Towards Social Use Cannabis

Now, a growing collective of Colorado-based cannabis business groups are finally opening the door for dispensaries, hotels, music venues, and more. A marijuana hospitality bill is in the works to propose the idea of creating two new types of business licenses, specifically intended to regulate social marijuana use in a similar way to alcohol use. One of these licenses would permit social consumption at existing businesses such as restaurants and hotels (but no marijuana sales), while another would allow for limited sales at businesses such as dispensary tasting rooms, pot lounges, and music halls.

The road has been rocky up until this point, with many efforts dying at the hands of lawmakers. However, shifting politics and new, pro-cannabis leaders may be paving the way for social use cannabis to be an industry reality. Additionally, the new legislation drafted by industry advocates takes a self-described “realistic” approach to the issue, leading many people in the Colorado cannabis business community to feel optimistic about the future.

If the measure is able to successfully pass, it will be an exciting milestone for the cannabis industry as a whole. Not only will it open the door for existing businesses to expand and evolve, but it will also provide a friendly growing space for new business concepts.

Learn More About Cannabis Industry Trends from Marijuana Marketing Xperts

Want to stay on top of the latest industry trends and news? Marijuana Marketing Xperts is your online source for everything you want to know as a cannabis business owner, arming you with the relevant information you need to make smart business decisions, evolve your company, and succeed in the exciting, rapidly growing cannabis industry. Our team is constantly on alert for breaking news and emerging trends, researching the latest happenings so you don’t have to.

Staying informed isn’t the only way to lead your cannabis business towards success – high-quality, industry-specific digital marketing strategies are also key. Being a part of this unique industry requires an expertly-crafted digital marketing plan, one that considers shifting trends, regulations, and more. Marijuana Marketing Xperts has the know-how to successfully navigate the industry, creating and implementing a smart, effective marketing plan to fit your needs. Learn more about our company and how we can help you succeed by contacting the Marijuana Marketing Xperts team today!