Denver Council Hashes Out Pot Issues; Will City Become Next Amsterdam

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Denver City Council over the next few months will be faced with decisions over recreational pot that one councilman believes could change the face of the city forever.

Should Denver allow private marijuana-smoking clubs that could make the city a mecca for pot users from around the world?

"That is the key issue," said Councilman Charlie Brown, who leads a special committee looking at licensing recreational-marijuana sales in Denver. "Do we want Denver to become a pot-tourist spot? Is that going to be a reality? What do you think when you think 'Amsterdam'? You think marijuana. And there is no doubt that is what Denver will become."

On Monday afternoon, the Amendment 64 committee is scheduled to hear from opponents and proponents of allowing commercial sales of recreational marijuana. Fifteen minutes are being set aside to hear public comments.

In May, the committee will take an informal vote on whether Denver should opt out on licensing recreational-marijuana sales, something several surrounding communities already have done.

Brown doesn't think that will occur in Denver.

Two-thirds of the city's voters in November approved Amendment 64, which legalized recreational marijuana for adults older than 21. The city also has become a leader in the regulation of medical marijuana. Now, 207 licensed medical-marijuana dispensaries operate in Denver; the city has 204 liquor stores.

"I just can't imagine the council opting out on what the city voted for," Brown said.

This week, recommendations from Colorado's Amendment 64 Implementation Task Force are expected to be released. And the council will hear from city officials who were on the task force: council members Mary Beth Susman and Chris Nevitt, and Tom Downey, director of excise and licensing.

Council members also will hear from Dr. Christian Thurstone, president of the Colorado Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Society and medical director of one of Colorado's largest youth substance-abuse-treatment clinics. Then, Christian Sederberg, a lawyer who helped write Amendment 64, will present his side.

Finally, Diane Carlson-Robinson, co-founder of Bravetracks, a nonprofit that helps Colorado high school students with professional and personal opportunities, will give her views.

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News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: denverpost.com
Author: Jeremy P. Meyer
Contact: Contact Us - The Denver Post
Website: Denver council hashes out pot issues; will city become next Amsterdam? - The Denver Post
 
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