We the undersigned request that Denver maintain 1,000-feet safe zone requirements between all marijuana-related businesses and places where children congregate: schools, child care centers, public pools and recreation centers.

Denver is the epicenter of marijuana commercialization in Colorado with more than a third of all state sales occurring in the city. The 2017 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey of high school students reported that Denver high school students are more likely than high school students across the state to have:

1. Tried marijuana (14% more likely)
2. Used marijuana in the past 30 days (almost 8% more likely)
3. Vaped marijuana (42% more likely)

The reverse also holds true. Denver high school students are less likely than high school students across the state to:

1. Perceive moderate or great harm from regular marijuana use (14% less likely)
2. Think it is wrong or very wrong for someone their age to use marijuana (5% less likely)

Denver City Council represents all Denver citizens, including our youngest residents. It is vital that the city maintain the distance restrictions without exception between marijuana businesses, including those that allow on-site consumption, and schools, child care centers, public pools and recreation centers.