More 'cannabis shops' than Starbucks in Denver

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6938607/More-cannabis-shops-than-Starbucks-in-Denver.html

More 'cannabis shops' than Starbucks in Denver
Denver has been named the 'cannabis capital' of America after it emerged that is has more "pot shops" than Starbucks coffee houses.
By Nick Allen in Los Angeles
05 Jan 2010

The city in Colorado has issued more than 300 licences for medical marijuana dispensaries, more than there are state schools or shops that can sell alcohol.

More than half of those licences were issued last month. The surge has been attributed to the introduction of new regulations on Jan 1, 2010 which will prevent new dispensaries from opening within 1,000ft of another one.

Denver has subsequently been described as "America's Cannabis Capital" by the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

In October a local newspaper in the city advertised for a medical marijuana reviewer.

Users of marijuana in the city's dispensaries are required to hold a state-issued Medical Marijuana Registry identification card, asserting that they require it to alleviate a medical problem.

Colorado is one of 14 states in the US where marijuana is allowed for medicinal purposes.

The others are Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Growing, possessing, distributing and smoking marijuana are still illegal under US federal law, which makes no distinction between medical and recreational use.