The Denver neighborhoods with the most weed dispensaries

Zoom in: Overland leads all Denver neighborhoods with 13 weed dispensaries, the city's Department of Excise and Licenses announced this week.

• Northeast Park Hill (10), Baker (nine), Five Points (nine), Montbello (eight) and Valverde (eight) round out the top six and aren't eligible for new businesses this year.

The big picture: The Department of Excise and Licenses must release annual data on neighborhoods with the most dispensaries and cultivation shops.

• Businesses are also not allowed to transfer existing licenses to these neighborhoods.

Context: The tally helps avoid oversaturation, protects the history and culture of neighborhoods, fends off gentrification, and reduces the risk of exposure to marijuana for children, agency spokesperson Eric Escudero tells us.

Threat level: The marijuana industry is in the middle of one of its most difficult financial periods since recreational sales started in 2014, as revenue has fallen dramatically, leading to business closures.

Stunning stat: Denver is home to 265 storefront licenses for recreational and medical sales, down from 337 in 2020 — a 21% drop.

Between the lines: Overall, the top neighborhoods remained unchanged from last year, though Northeast Park Hill, Baker and Five Points all lost at least one shop.