Sparking optimism in the Centennial State, a Colorado judge has given the green light to Denver’s Pig ‘N Whistle pot shop – forcing reluctant city officials to provide the necessary licensing.

Providing encouragement for other potential marijuana businesses stuck in a motionless licensing queue, after months of exasperating delays plus the loss of some serious green, a Colorado judge has ruled that Denver officials mistakenly denied the Pig ‘N Whistle dispensary its recreational marijuana business license for their Denver pot shop.

Already the proprietor of a medical marijuana business, in January 2015, Ross Vaisman was looking to expand his existing client base and begin serving the recreational market. With his I’s dotted and his T’s crossed, Vaisman assumed the conversion from medical to recreational would be a relatively quick process, and that he would receive his license to sell state sanctioned Colorado chronic in short order.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. After first receiving a written recommendation of approval – contingent on the director’s endorsement of the dispensary’s location – Pig ‘N Whistle’s application was eventually denied.

Addressing the boisterous and unwarranted concerns of residents near the W. Colfax location, Denver’s officials ultimately rejected the business license, according to the original excise and license denial.

Down but not out, Vaisman brawled with city officials and fought the denial through Colorado’s judiciary for months. After an ugly and protracted battle, Vaisman was victorious. District Court Judge Catherine Lemon for the City and County of Denver found that Pig ‘N Whistle’s owner had cleared the necessary legal hurdles.

Less than satisfied with the judge’s ruling, Denver’s officials then decided the shop should be forced to conform to a new, more stringent public screening process for licensing, otherwise known as a ‘Needs & Desires’ hearing.

Thankfully rejected by the judge on June 9, Denver District Court Judge Catherine Lemon ruled Denver’s Mile High officials can’t retroactively add obstacles to the currently waiting applicants. Providing encouragement for some, this recent ruling could have a positive impact on the six + pot shops currently awaiting approval.