Colorado Springs medical marijuana ordinance proposed
Posted : Feb 8, 2010 10:37 PM
Updated: Feb 9, 2010 4:25 AM
For the past few months Colorado Springs city council members Sean Paige and Tom Gallagher have overseen a joint task force to look at ways to regulate medical marijuana businesses. From that comes a proposed ordinance laid out Monday which was primarily written by the Colorado Springs Medical Cannabis Council. It laid out several suggestions for ways to regulate the business including fees and caps on the number of plants and patients a caregiver or grower could have.
For a standing room only crowd at city hall it was a divided room on the subject. Those in the medical marijuana industry say they want to be legit. "These are small business owners who are have been put out of business in the past or laid off of their jobs. They're just trying to make a living." says SMCC board member Tanya Garduno.
Council member Darryl Glenn believes there's a lot to be looked at. "I have been getting some complaints about potential dispensaries popping up in close proximity to residential areas and that's something at this point in time I cannot just sit back and do anything about that." he says.
Before this proposed ordinance goes to a vote, council has asked that agencies such as police, fire, the DA's office and the council of neighbors and organizations give their input. Almost everyone involved agrees some action need to be taken soon so that the existing grey area surrounding medical marijuana goes away.
CLICK HERE to see a copy of the proposed ordinance.
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