Denver guide
How to Verify a Licensed Cannabis Retailer in Denver
Use the MED Licensed Facilities list and Denver's local records to check both state and city authorization before visiting a retailer.
Denver · Official sources linked below
A Colorado cannabis retailer must hold both a state license from the Marijuana Enforcement Division and a local license from Denver. Check both records separately; neither alone is sufficient.
Sources: Retail Cannabis Licensees; MED Licensed Facilities.
Two licenses are required
Colorado's guidance states that a cannabis business must be licensed by both the state and its local jurisdiction before it can legally operate. In Denver, local licensing is handled by Excise and Licenses. A business with an active MED license but no Denver permit — or a Denver permit with no active MED license — is not fully authorized to sell. Neither the MED list nor the Denver records alone is a complete check.
Sources: Retail Cannabis Licensees; Marijuana Enforcement Division.
Check the MED Licensed Facilities list
The MED publishes a licensed facilities list updated monthly at its official website. Search by business name or license number and verify the license type, status, and expiration date. A storefront sign or map listing is not a substitute for the state record. The MED list covers retail marijuana stores, medical marijuana centers, and marijuana hospitality businesses; confirming the license type matters for understanding what a business is authorized to sell.
Sources: MED Licensed Facilities.
Check Denver's local license records
Denver Excise and Licenses issues local marijuana business licenses and maintains its own records. After confirming the MED license, match the business name and address with the local records. A business found in one database but not the other is not in full compliance. Confirm that both are current before making a trip.
Sources: Retail Cannabis Licensees; Marijuana Consumption.
Retail versus medical versus hospitality
A retail marijuana store license authorizes selling adult-use cannabis to customers 21 and older. A medical marijuana center license serves registered medical patients. A marijuana hospitality license authorizes on-site consumption — it does not authorize retail sales, so a hospitality venue is not a dispensary. The MED list distinguishes license types; check that the type matches the service you intend to use.
Sources: Marijuana Enforcement Division; MED Licensed Facilities.
Use the directory as a starting point
BudCities shows published Denver records verified against official source data. Use the directory to identify candidates, then confirm current licensing and hours directly with the MED list and the retailer before visiting. A directory entry is not a live guarantee of current authorization, stock, or operating hours.
Explore Denver
Official sources
Reviewed September 21, 2026.
- Retail Cannabis Licensees — Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- MED Licensed Facilities — Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- Marijuana Enforcement Division — Colorado Department of Revenue. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- Marijuana Consumption — City and County of Denver. Accessed 2026-11-02.
For general information, not legal or medical advice. Rules and business status can change. Verify current requirements with the linked authorities and the property or retailer before acting.