Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Florence - Voters in Florence will decide this election if they will allow or not allow a marijuana grow operations facility to be constructed in city limits.
However, some Florence City Council members are concerned the ballot question could confuse voters, as a missing word from the ballot question is misleading.
The ballot measure, which appears as "Question 2B" asks if retail marijuana operations should be allowed in Florence, but what the full question is asking is if a marijuana cultivation operation can be built in the city.
City Manager Mike Patterson said that the ballot measure doesn't have the word cultivation in it, but the issue being voted on is still clear when you read the full measure.
"Some council members felt like there could be some people that think the measure is asking to approve marijuana shop sales," Patterson said.
Patterson said that the clerk previously had approved the ballot for how it appears now, but after looking at it, the Florence City Council agrees that they needed extra clarification.
In an email, Florence City Clerk Dena Lozano said that "Question 2B is strictly a ballot question regarding whether or not retail marijuana cultivation should be allowed, and that retail sales establishments would still be banned.
The company looking to build the possible marijuana grow facility is the Groupe, which is based out of Oak Brook, Ill., and first began discussing building a facility in Florence more than two years ago.
The company specializes in a number of property development industries, including hotels, restaurants and industrial sites.
Wade Broadhead, city planner for Florence, explained in August that the company is not bringing in a marijuana grow facility, but that it could be a future possibility.
The Sonnenschein Groupe only will be allowed to consider a marijuana grow facility if Florence's voters approve it this election.
At the Aug. 1 council meeting, the council voted to approve a measure that would give voters that power.
If voters vote against Question 2B, then the Sonnenschein Groupe will not be allowed to include a marijuana grow at their proposed facility.
Broadhead said in an interview in August that when the facility came to Florence, the city was looking at something that would bring in a decent number of jobs.
"The city said we could create opportunity for people," Broadhead said.
The proposed facility, if built, essentially will be an agricultural facility, which could grow or specialize in large array of items.
"In many ways, this (facility) is coming back to our roots. Florence was an agricultural town before, and this can bring good paying jobs for the area," Broadhead said.
Broadhead explained the proposed facility will sit on about 900 acres, and 300 acres will be for annexation.
"It's a small piece of land at the edge of the city," Broadhead said.
"If the people here vote no on allowing retail marijuana into the city, then that's that," he said. "We know there's a whole section of people in Florence who are unemployed and need an opportunity to come along."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Florence Marijuana Ballot Measure Confusing Voters
Author: Sarah Matott
Contact: (719) 275-7565
Photo Credit: Teresa Crawford
Website: Daily Record
However, some Florence City Council members are concerned the ballot question could confuse voters, as a missing word from the ballot question is misleading.
The ballot measure, which appears as "Question 2B" asks if retail marijuana operations should be allowed in Florence, but what the full question is asking is if a marijuana cultivation operation can be built in the city.
City Manager Mike Patterson said that the ballot measure doesn't have the word cultivation in it, but the issue being voted on is still clear when you read the full measure.
"Some council members felt like there could be some people that think the measure is asking to approve marijuana shop sales," Patterson said.
Patterson said that the clerk previously had approved the ballot for how it appears now, but after looking at it, the Florence City Council agrees that they needed extra clarification.
In an email, Florence City Clerk Dena Lozano said that "Question 2B is strictly a ballot question regarding whether or not retail marijuana cultivation should be allowed, and that retail sales establishments would still be banned.
The company looking to build the possible marijuana grow facility is the Groupe, which is based out of Oak Brook, Ill., and first began discussing building a facility in Florence more than two years ago.
The company specializes in a number of property development industries, including hotels, restaurants and industrial sites.
Wade Broadhead, city planner for Florence, explained in August that the company is not bringing in a marijuana grow facility, but that it could be a future possibility.
The Sonnenschein Groupe only will be allowed to consider a marijuana grow facility if Florence's voters approve it this election.
At the Aug. 1 council meeting, the council voted to approve a measure that would give voters that power.
If voters vote against Question 2B, then the Sonnenschein Groupe will not be allowed to include a marijuana grow at their proposed facility.
Broadhead said in an interview in August that when the facility came to Florence, the city was looking at something that would bring in a decent number of jobs.
"The city said we could create opportunity for people," Broadhead said.
The proposed facility, if built, essentially will be an agricultural facility, which could grow or specialize in large array of items.
"In many ways, this (facility) is coming back to our roots. Florence was an agricultural town before, and this can bring good paying jobs for the area," Broadhead said.
Broadhead explained the proposed facility will sit on about 900 acres, and 300 acres will be for annexation.
"It's a small piece of land at the edge of the city," Broadhead said.
"If the people here vote no on allowing retail marijuana into the city, then that's that," he said. "We know there's a whole section of people in Florence who are unemployed and need an opportunity to come along."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Florence Marijuana Ballot Measure Confusing Voters
Author: Sarah Matott
Contact: (719) 275-7565
Photo Credit: Teresa Crawford
Website: Daily Record
