Denver dispensary facing fines after failing to lock up cash, pot

DENVER — A Denver dispensary could lose its license after failing to comply with a Denver licensing requirement that’s more than two years old.

Since Jan. 1, 2022, Denver dispensaries have been required to lock up marijuana products and cash when they close for the day to deter burglaries.

“It makes people a lot less likely to do a smash and grab when there’s nothing to grab after they smash,” said Eric Escudero, spokesman for the Denver Department of Excise and License (EXL), which handles licensing for city dispensaries.

The department is beginning to crack down on businesses not following the guidelines, with three dispensaries now facing disciplinary action.

That includes the Makena dispensary at 2568 South Broadway, where an unknown amount of marijuana was stolen during a burglary on May 10, according to city records.

Six days after that burglary, EXL inspectors observed several violations involving cannabis storage rules.

According to documents, “The Respondent was also observed to be using several other noncompliant rooms for marijuana storage and did not move product from the sales floor into a safe after hours.”

The document goes on to say, “Importantly, these were all repeat violations that were identified to the Respondent during a prior inspection on October 28th, 2022 — ie., before the burglary.”

A store manager told 9NEWS Thursday she was unaware of the violations, and that the store was in compliance.

The store’s general manager did not immediately return requests for comment.

Escudero said the city recently imposed fines of $15,000 and $5,000 against two other businesses with similar violations. Makena’s disciplinary action is still pending.

“The last thing we want to do is shut down a business and have people lose their jobs,” Escudero said. “What we’re trying to get is compliance.”

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Next with Kyle Clark