The Moffat County Commission met Thursday afternoon with county attorneys Kathleen Taylor and Jeremy Snow to examine options regarding medical marijuana dispensaries within the county.
The county's six-month moratorium on dispensaries ends June 15.
The commission originally implemented the moratorium in December 2009 to stall any dispensaries from opening until the state could regulate the industry, commissioner Audrey Danner said.
Such a regulation has passed the legislature and is awaiting a decision from Gov. Bill Ritter on whether it will be signed into law.
Colorado House Bill 10-1284 addresses several issues surrounding the medical marijuana industry in Colorado, including licensing and dispensary regulation.
The commissioners discussed the county's options in extending the moratorium within county limits until after Ritter signs or vetoes the bill.
Snow told the commissioners the county could extend its moratorium another six months.
"I think right now our only option is to extend the moratorium for another 30 days," commissioner Tom Mathers said. "Until we hear back if the governor is going to pass it or not going to pass it, then we can't do anything."
If Ritter signs the bill, the county would have several options regarding dispensaries.
The first option is to prohibit the growth and cultivation of medical marijuana within the county except for residents with caregiver status or residents with a medical marijuana license, Snow said.
The county can also adhere to state regulations contained within the bill, or create its own regulations, Snow said.
The regulations the county can create can be no less stringent than the state's, but can be altered to the point of prohibition against everyone except caregivers or licensed medical marijuana consumers.
If the governor signs the bill, the county can pass another moratorium until July 2011.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Craig Daily Press
Author: Brian Smith
Contact: Craig Daily Press
Copyright: 2010 Craig Daily Press
Website: Moffat County considering medical marijuana options
The county's six-month moratorium on dispensaries ends June 15.
The commission originally implemented the moratorium in December 2009 to stall any dispensaries from opening until the state could regulate the industry, commissioner Audrey Danner said.
Such a regulation has passed the legislature and is awaiting a decision from Gov. Bill Ritter on whether it will be signed into law.
Colorado House Bill 10-1284 addresses several issues surrounding the medical marijuana industry in Colorado, including licensing and dispensary regulation.
The commissioners discussed the county's options in extending the moratorium within county limits until after Ritter signs or vetoes the bill.
Snow told the commissioners the county could extend its moratorium another six months.
"I think right now our only option is to extend the moratorium for another 30 days," commissioner Tom Mathers said. "Until we hear back if the governor is going to pass it or not going to pass it, then we can't do anything."
If Ritter signs the bill, the county would have several options regarding dispensaries.
The first option is to prohibit the growth and cultivation of medical marijuana within the county except for residents with caregiver status or residents with a medical marijuana license, Snow said.
The county can also adhere to state regulations contained within the bill, or create its own regulations, Snow said.
The regulations the county can create can be no less stringent than the state's, but can be altered to the point of prohibition against everyone except caregivers or licensed medical marijuana consumers.
If the governor signs the bill, the county can pass another moratorium until July 2011.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Craig Daily Press
Author: Brian Smith
Contact: Craig Daily Press
Copyright: 2010 Craig Daily Press
Website: Moffat County considering medical marijuana options
