Authorize Retail Marijuana Special Event Permit

The bill authorizes a retail marijuana store to submit an application to the state retail marijuana licensing authority for a special event permit if the store is located within the jurisdictional boundaries of a local government that has approved the sale of retail marijuana. An application must list the particular retail marijuana stores that may participate at the special event along with other information specified by the state licensing authority by rule. Participating retail marijuana stores may donate retail marijuana products and sell retail marijuana and retail marijuana products. If the state licensing authority approves the application, it notifies the applicable local licensing authority, which can approve or deny the permit. The state or local licensing authority may deny an application if granting it would be injurious to the public welfare because of the nature of the special event, its location within the community, or the failure of the applicant in a past special event to conduct the event in compliance with applicable laws.

A special event permit:

• May be issued only if the location where the special event is held is accessible only to individuals 21 years of age or older;
• May be issued for a closed street, highway, or public byway only if the local jurisdiction and permitted retail marijuana store licensees demonstrate that adequate security measures will be maintained;
• Authorizes sale of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products only between the hours of 9 a.m. of the day specified in the permit and midnight on the same day;
• Requires that sandwiches or other food snacks must be available during all hours of service of retail marijuana or retail marijuana products, but prepared meals need not be served;
• Must not exceed 5 consecutive days; and
• Cannot be used for more than 15 days in any one calendar year.

If a violation occurs during a special event and the responsible licensee cannot be identified, the state licensing authority may issue a joint fine, which must not exceed $100 per licensee or $1,000 in the aggregate. The state and local licensing authorities can charge an application fee of $150 per day for a retail marijuana permit and $150 per day for a retail marijuana products permit.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)