In the pre-pandemic era, we knew and loved cannabis for being a social substance, one that we’d share with friends and make memories with. However, various public laws limit public cannabis consumption, leaving cannabis consumers feeling like they got the short end of the stick when those who prefer alcohol can go to a bar and indulge in their substance of choice.

That said, Denver regulators and entrepreneurs what to change that, especially now that the city legalized cannabis hospitality businesses. Denver began accepting applications from those who want to open cannabis smoking lounges and Amsterdam-like gathering spaces back in November 2021.

According to Eric Escudero, director of communications for Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses, there has only been one person who applied to open a cannabis lounge. As reported by Denver Post, that person is Chris Chiari, owner of The Patterson Inn and Capitol Hill Bed & Breakfast.

Chiari isn’t new to the cannabis industry. He currently serves as the deputy director of the Colorado branch of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and has also invested in a local dispensary. Impressively, Chiari also co-produced a documentary with rapper Ice-T dubbed “Public Enemy Number One,” which expanded on how the nation weaponized marijuana use in communities of color.

Chiari explained that he first wanted to turn The Patterson Inn into a cannabis-friendly hotel about ten years ago when he strolled past and noticed the blatantly clear address, 420 E. 11th Ave. Expanding on his vision, Chiari told the Denver Post that he wanted to combine a “four-star, boutique hospitality with legally licensed cannabis hospitality and consumption.”

Once he’s approved for a license, Chiari will build out the hotel’s 1,000-square-foot carriage house into a lounge for cannabis users. Guests will be asked to bring their own cannabis and use the pipes, papers, and bongs provided by the lounge.

The lounge is expected to open in mid-2022 and will serve a unique menu of mocktails that were designed to complement particular strains. The entry fee will be an appropriate $4.20 per day in order for guests to access the lounge. Chiari also wants to sell memberships to locals to take part in the lounge alongside hotel stayers.

We should note that smoking is not allowed in hotel rooms due to laws that require specific ventilation for smoking areas. This could affect the onsite restaurant from serving alcohol, according to Chiari. He also said that keeping smoking to one lounge would help maintain the 19th-century Victorian structure’s integrity.