Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Pueblo City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on retail marijuana store licensing rules that appear to address several public concerns over the number and location of pot shops within the city. We note that the proposed rules reflect appropriate caution, such as limiting the number of retail pot stores to four north and four south of the Arkansas River inside the city.
Another concern is the distance between each marijuana store and schools, hospitals and homes. As proposed, the buffer zones would prohibit stores within 1,000 feet of schools, 500 feet of hospitals or substance abuse treatment centers and 300 feet from residential property. Council should give serious consideration to whether each of the proposed distances are far enough. We note, in particular, that 300 feet would separate a pot shop from the nearest possible residence by the length of a football field, from goal line to goal line excluding the end zones.
Last month, council directed city staff to add a requirement that pot store applicants conduct a petition drive to get support from neighbors. The petition requirement is not in the proposed ordinance to be voted on Tuesday. However, City Clerk Gina Dutcher said the council also will take up a separate 97-page rules and regulations document that will include the petition requirement.
Petition signatures showing support for a retail pot location will make the applicant eligible for extra points. This is part of a point system by which the City Marijuana Licensing Authority will award licenses for the highest point total.
Other key points are listed in the proposed 31-page ordinance, including experience operating a licensed marijuana establishment, residency in Pueblo, employment of local residents, criminal background checks of the applicant, operators and employees and other minimum qualifications.
Of particular interest is the proposed requirement that applicants have at least $200,000 in liquid, unencumbered assets. Applicants also must pay required city zoning and licensing fees during the process of competing for approval.
The city clerk said both the ordinance and rules will be posted today on the city's website (pueblo.us) by going to the City Council's Dec. 27 agenda, item S1.
Once the ordinance and rules are posted and made available to the public, many of the details may be difficult to navigate online.
We implore City Council members to do their homework in advance of voting next Tuesday on retail marijuana store rules.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Marijuana Rules
Author: The Chieftain Editorial
Contact: (719) 544-3520
Photo Credit: Toronto Star
Website: The Pueblo Chieftain
Another concern is the distance between each marijuana store and schools, hospitals and homes. As proposed, the buffer zones would prohibit stores within 1,000 feet of schools, 500 feet of hospitals or substance abuse treatment centers and 300 feet from residential property. Council should give serious consideration to whether each of the proposed distances are far enough. We note, in particular, that 300 feet would separate a pot shop from the nearest possible residence by the length of a football field, from goal line to goal line excluding the end zones.
Last month, council directed city staff to add a requirement that pot store applicants conduct a petition drive to get support from neighbors. The petition requirement is not in the proposed ordinance to be voted on Tuesday. However, City Clerk Gina Dutcher said the council also will take up a separate 97-page rules and regulations document that will include the petition requirement.
Petition signatures showing support for a retail pot location will make the applicant eligible for extra points. This is part of a point system by which the City Marijuana Licensing Authority will award licenses for the highest point total.
Other key points are listed in the proposed 31-page ordinance, including experience operating a licensed marijuana establishment, residency in Pueblo, employment of local residents, criminal background checks of the applicant, operators and employees and other minimum qualifications.
Of particular interest is the proposed requirement that applicants have at least $200,000 in liquid, unencumbered assets. Applicants also must pay required city zoning and licensing fees during the process of competing for approval.
The city clerk said both the ordinance and rules will be posted today on the city's website (pueblo.us) by going to the City Council's Dec. 27 agenda, item S1.
Once the ordinance and rules are posted and made available to the public, many of the details may be difficult to navigate online.
We implore City Council members to do their homework in advance of voting next Tuesday on retail marijuana store rules.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Marijuana Rules
Author: The Chieftain Editorial
Contact: (719) 544-3520
Photo Credit: Toronto Star
Website: The Pueblo Chieftain
