DENVER -- If you're driving through the Cherry Creek neighborhood it's easy to miss the medical marijuana dispensary located near Madison and Bayaud. The shop has been serving customers since 2010 but it's been getting a lot more attention recently for a proposal to change its license.
"We've always been low key... we're actually kind of fairly normal people just selling the product we sell," said Elliott Klug, Pink House Owner and Manager.
Pink House applied for a recreational license earlier this year. A scheduled hearing about the change is set for next week but neighbors are already voicing opposition.
"We’re not opposed necessarily to a medical marijuana facility but recreational marijuana facilities have their place," said Bill Tanner with the Cherry Creek East Association.
The neighborhood group polled residents and according to Tanner, 78 percent of respondents were not in favor of the dispensary switching from medical to recreational.
If that happens, residents believe the dispensary will bring in more customers creating more traffic and taking away parking. The other main concern is a nearby park and tennis center.
"I think it’s going to be a lot of people coming in. It attracts good people and it also attracts people that we don’t need in the neighborhood," said Ingrid Fretheim, a Cherry Creek resident for 18 years.
Klug said he is hosting an ongoing open house for anyone who is curious about his plans. He also drafted a good neighbor agreement and wants to pay for 'no smoking' signs in the park.
"We’ve been here for eight years, we’ve always been the best neighbors we could be. We struggle like anybody with parking and we’re always striving to be a better community member," said Klug.
A hearing will be held about the Pink House license on May 7 at 9 a.m. It will take place at the Denver Department of Excises and Licenses located at 201 Colfax Street. The hearing officer will review the evidence and make a recommendation at a later date. Public input is encouraged.
