Advocates are concerned that too many of Denver's new retail marijuana business are locating in neighborhoods with mostly minority and low-income residents.
"Recreational marijuana businesses have proliferated so rapidly in some of Denver's poorer neighborhoods during the past two years that city officials are exploring ways to disperse future growth more evenly," report David Migoya and Ricardo Baca.
Businesses connected to the marijuana industry have taken off in neighborhoods like Elyria Swansea, Globeville, Northeast Park Hill, and Overland, according to the article. Business owners claim that they're located where the city's zoning allows.
The Denver Post completed an analysis of the concentration of marijuana businesses in the city, the findings for which are shared in the article. Migoya and Baca also report that policy makers have already taken steps to limit the concentration of marijuana businesses certain areas: "In November, the City Council placed a four-month moratorium on new licenses until officials can have a closer look at where shops are today, including taking walking tours of neighborhoods. There is talk of extending the moratorium for at least two years, perhaps up to four."
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