Step outside in Denver on April 20, and you’ll probably smell something burning in the air. As the first city to decriminalize cannabis and the capital of the first state to legalize the plant for recreational purposes, Denver will be forever linked to that sweet, sticky stuff. And on the high holiday known as 4/20, you’ll see plenty of public celebration. 🍃💨 Yet Denver has never had much of a “legal” cannabis hospitality scene. The 4/20 festival has always been unsanctioned for cannabis use — that’s never stopped the majority of attendees and performers from smoking, however, and police haven’t issued a public consumption citation there in years — and underground or private businesses and events allowing cannabis use have seen limited success. Like a tightly rolled joint, cannabis hospitality burns slowly with little oxygen in Denver. Strict rules and unproven business models dominate the small but growing sector. But as another 4/20 approaches, licensed cannabis bars, lounges,...