Denver has started to work on the path to become the first city in the United States to legalize use of marijuana in clubs and public spots, such as coffee shops, yoga studios and art galleries.

In November 2016 voters approved marijuana for “social use”, but the ballot proposal did not spell out rules, how the marijuana can be used beyond saying that marijuana cannot be smoked inside and the patron must be over the age of 21.

The state Liquor Control Board has announced that no bar or restaurant with a liquor license can allow marijuana use. So that leaves restaurants that do not serve alcohol and other event spaces.

A group made up of business owners in Denver and city pot regulators along with marijuana opponents met to discuss about the details.

The debate took place for almost an hour and debated if marijuana should be allowed in venues such as zoos, which are mostly visited by children, should museum and zoos allow marijuana friendly events at nights only for adults.

The measure also included a caveat that public use of marijuana should not occur near schools and places kids congregate.

Emmett Reisistroffer, a cannabis consultant who ran the public-use campaign said that “they do no want marijuana around children and they all agree”.

But he also urged regulators to not be too restrictive as there was no specific law which said that adults cannot drink alcohol in front of children even at a professional football stadium.

He also said that “people do tolerate alcohol use by adults in front of under 21 years old.

Supporters are hoping to see the city starting to accept applications from businesses by this year’s summer, but the regulators can easily drag out the decision-making for months. It will not be an easy job

City officials had to double the size of the room to accommodate the crowd, and a long white board for questions filled quickly with subjects such as “Hours of operation?”

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