No decision on marijuana regulations in Denver

DENVER, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The Denver City Council failed to reach a decision on proposed marijuana regulations that would make it illegal for the smell of smoke to come from a back yard.

The council's Monday night meeting featured a lengthy discussion of the proposed law, which seems to define "open and public use," which remained illegal under the state law legalizing marijuana for recreational use, The Denver Post reported Tuesday.

Assistant City Attorney David Broadwell said the state Legislature and the governor's marijuana task force failed to define "open and public use."

Councilwoman Jeanne Robb said the proposal, which would define "open" as being "in a manner that is unconcealed, undisguised or obvious, and is observable and perceptible through sight or smell to the public or to persons on neighboring properties," went too far.

"This overreaches," said Robb, who represents the district containing the Civic Center, which has been the location of marijuana giveaways during a political rally and an annual mass marijuana smoking event in April.

The proposal would also ban marijuana possession in city parks and use on private property while visible from off the property.