Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Colorado Springs - Apparently, dealing with Douglas Bruce and scores of angry homeless advocates isn't enough excitement for one day for Colorado Springs City Council.
It also wants to take on the medical marijuana industry.
Last night, City Council directed the city attorney to draft a resolution restricting medical marijuana dispensaries. According to Vice Mayor Larry Small, the resolution is expected to ban dispensaries that are close to schools or residential neighborhoods. Small also expected that the resolution would ban the proliferation of dispensaries, at least in the short term. Small says he doesn't want to shut down existing dispensaries, but he doesn't want more dispensaries popping up until the state Legislature lays down clearer ground rules (laws governing the industry are imminent) and the Springs can put in place its own ordinance.
Council decided to vote on the moratorium because of an outcry from people living near North Academy Boulevard's Old Mission Inn Restaurant, which is being converted into a dispensary.
Small says he was concerned about the new dispensary's closeness to neighborhoods, as well as its lack of adherence to the city's laws and guidelines. But Small said the city couldn't just close the Mission and leave other dispensaries unscathed, because it would be discriminatory. That's why he suggested the resolution.
However, Councilor Tom Gallagher notes that a citizens group created by Council put months into crafting an ordinance that would control dispensaries within the city limits while allowing them to exist. That ordinance was recently presented to Council, with plans to conduct a further public process before approval or rejection.
Gallagher says that thoughtful public process is being usurped. And he's not happy about it.
“In the matter of half a day, we can craft an ordinance?” he says.
“This is politics," he adds derisively. "This allows us to be seen doing something, even when it's the wrong thing.”
If passed, the resolution would go into effect immediately.
NewsHawk: User: 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: The Colorado Springs Independent
Author: J. Adrian Stanley
Copyright: 2010 The Colorado Springs Independent
Contact: Colorado Springs Independent | Contact Us
Website: Smokin' hot day for City Council | IndyBlog | Colorado Springs Independent
It also wants to take on the medical marijuana industry.
Last night, City Council directed the city attorney to draft a resolution restricting medical marijuana dispensaries. According to Vice Mayor Larry Small, the resolution is expected to ban dispensaries that are close to schools or residential neighborhoods. Small also expected that the resolution would ban the proliferation of dispensaries, at least in the short term. Small says he doesn't want to shut down existing dispensaries, but he doesn't want more dispensaries popping up until the state Legislature lays down clearer ground rules (laws governing the industry are imminent) and the Springs can put in place its own ordinance.
Council decided to vote on the moratorium because of an outcry from people living near North Academy Boulevard's Old Mission Inn Restaurant, which is being converted into a dispensary.
Small says he was concerned about the new dispensary's closeness to neighborhoods, as well as its lack of adherence to the city's laws and guidelines. But Small said the city couldn't just close the Mission and leave other dispensaries unscathed, because it would be discriminatory. That's why he suggested the resolution.
However, Councilor Tom Gallagher notes that a citizens group created by Council put months into crafting an ordinance that would control dispensaries within the city limits while allowing them to exist. That ordinance was recently presented to Council, with plans to conduct a further public process before approval or rejection.
Gallagher says that thoughtful public process is being usurped. And he's not happy about it.
“In the matter of half a day, we can craft an ordinance?” he says.
“This is politics," he adds derisively. "This allows us to be seen doing something, even when it's the wrong thing.”
If passed, the resolution would go into effect immediately.
NewsHawk: User: 420 Magazine - Cannabis Culture News & Reviews
Source: The Colorado Springs Independent
Author: J. Adrian Stanley
Copyright: 2010 The Colorado Springs Independent
Contact: Colorado Springs Independent | Contact Us
Website: Smokin' hot day for City Council | IndyBlog | Colorado Springs Independent
