The Marijuana Mansion in Denver has elevated the standard for intimate industry events.
The grand reopening of the historic building, where the world’s first bill legalizing adult-use cannabis was written, featured a DJ, open bar, and an array of cannabis products curated by Green Dragon that were free for the taking.
“Cigarette girls” dressed in period costumes circulated the party offering joints from the boxes hanging from their necks.
Many big names in Colorado’s cannabis industry were represented, including Green Dragon, Wana Brands, and the Vicente Sederberg law firm. Mason Tvert, who worked in the building and was instrumental in laying the groundwork for Colorado’s legalization effort, said he was hoping his former office would be transformed into one of the themed rooms in the Marijuana Mansion. But when Tvert walked into his old space, he was disappointed to discover that it was still just an office.
Originally known as Creswell House, the sandstone mansion dates to the 19th Century, when businessman Joseph Creswell commissioned a home for his family. Legendary Denver architect John Huddart designed the house, which was completed in 1889. The Marijuana Mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, but the house received its current name and fame for the pivotal role it played in the legalization of marijuana. It was the Colorado headquarters for the Marijuana Policy Project, which created Colorado’s legalization laws in 2012. It also served as offices for the Vicente Sederberg law firm, which specializes in cannabis.
When Lisa Leder purchased the historic property in 2019, she planned to apply for a social consumption license. But the building was 10 feet shy of meeting the 1,000-foot distance the law requires consumption lounges to be from day-care facilities.
Instead, Leder created an events venue and museum and called it the Marijuana Mansion. Consumption is not permitted on tours of the mansion, but anyone renting the entire space for an event can smoke or otherwise ingest cannabis in the building. Her vision is for people in the industry to rent it for launch parties and other events so that guests can partake in their products.
Upon first entering the mansion, guests step back in time to enjoy a grand staircase, original fireplaces with wood carvings, original tiles, and stained glass.
Leder and her team designed the rooms on the mansion’s second and third floors to be Instagrammable experiences.
The walls of the Weed Room — the centerpiece of the mansion — are lined with cannabis leaves, and there’s a throne and a swing that are perfect for photos. The music in the room, designed by Ellie Paisley, changes with events–with a popular option being “Blueberry Yum Yum” by Ludacris.
Mary Jane in a Marijuana Wonderland, also designed by Paisley, is a twist on “Alice in Wonderland Through the Looking Glass” and depicts Mary Jane’s journey to the Marijuana Mansion. The music in this room also changes, with a popular option being “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin.
Leder designed the Enchanted Weed Forest with an amusement park in mind. The walls are painted black, and the forest glows with fluorescent trees and plants while stars twinkle in the sky.
Leder also designed the Historical Room to depict a sitting room in the late 1800s that represents the history of the mansion. A hidden bookcase leads to the LED Room, designed by artist Shannon Barber to represent a nightclub. Barber created Bong chandeliers and weed-themed art to complement the tables and chairs lit by LED lighting.
As far as event space for cannabis industry events goes, the Marijuana Mansion is tough to beat.
