Jacob Bell
New Member
Fort Collins isn't trying to establish itself as a regional hub for medical-marijuana users, the mayor and other officials insist.
But critics say that by allowing as many as 23 dispensaries to continue operating, even though most violate distance requirements from churches and schools, city leaders have done just that.
They also say the city should cap the number of medical-marijuana businesses in town.
"My main concern is that we're saying this a medication with no harmful side effects," said Scoot Crandall, executive director of Team Fort Collins, which fights substance abuse among kids. "We're already seeing use rates among young people go up, and pot is not compatible with the healthy development of the brain."
Most of the restrictions Fort Collins is putting on medical-marijuana businesses are tougher than what the state requires, said Mayor Doug Hutchinson.
Hutchinson voted with the 5-2 majority last week to grandfather in medical-cannabis businesses that are already operating in the city or are in the process of getting a license.
"One of our main goals was that we were going to follow the law in a way that helps avoid the possibility that Fort Collins would become a growth-and-distribution center for medical marijuana," Hutchinson said. "And I think we have been pretty faithful to that in many ways."
One ordinance limits any applicant to two medical-marijuana-center licenses in the city. The city will also keep on the books rules requiring medical-pot businesses to stay 1,000 feet from schools and other marijuana businesses and 500 feet from colleges, parks and places of worship.
Detractors point out, however, that only two existing medical-marijuana businesses adhere to those distancing requirements.
But Hutchinson said he and other council members toured several of the businesses and found none was a threat to any of the facilities cited in the ordinances.
"I think Fort Collins is taking this issue very seriously, and so far I think we are in reasonably good shape," Hutchinson said.
Councilman Wade Troxell, who cast one of the dissenting votes, said the existing medical-cannabis businesses are making a "mockery" of the city's distancing requirements.
Because several neighboring communities have banned medical-marijuana businesses, Troxell said, patients will stream into Fort Collins. A district judge is scheduled to rule next week on Loveland's voter-approved ban of medical-cannabis businesses.
"Frankly, this leaves the door wide open in Fort Collins," Troxell said. "And I worry about the impact that will have on future generations in this city."
News Hawk- Jacob Husky 420 MAGAZINE
Source: denverpost.com
Author: Monte Whaley
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: The Denver Post
Website: Fort Collins as a hub for pot users? City officials say no
But critics say that by allowing as many as 23 dispensaries to continue operating, even though most violate distance requirements from churches and schools, city leaders have done just that.
They also say the city should cap the number of medical-marijuana businesses in town.
"My main concern is that we're saying this a medication with no harmful side effects," said Scoot Crandall, executive director of Team Fort Collins, which fights substance abuse among kids. "We're already seeing use rates among young people go up, and pot is not compatible with the healthy development of the brain."
Most of the restrictions Fort Collins is putting on medical-marijuana businesses are tougher than what the state requires, said Mayor Doug Hutchinson.
Hutchinson voted with the 5-2 majority last week to grandfather in medical-cannabis businesses that are already operating in the city or are in the process of getting a license.
"One of our main goals was that we were going to follow the law in a way that helps avoid the possibility that Fort Collins would become a growth-and-distribution center for medical marijuana," Hutchinson said. "And I think we have been pretty faithful to that in many ways."
One ordinance limits any applicant to two medical-marijuana-center licenses in the city. The city will also keep on the books rules requiring medical-pot businesses to stay 1,000 feet from schools and other marijuana businesses and 500 feet from colleges, parks and places of worship.
Detractors point out, however, that only two existing medical-marijuana businesses adhere to those distancing requirements.
But Hutchinson said he and other council members toured several of the businesses and found none was a threat to any of the facilities cited in the ordinances.
"I think Fort Collins is taking this issue very seriously, and so far I think we are in reasonably good shape," Hutchinson said.
Councilman Wade Troxell, who cast one of the dissenting votes, said the existing medical-cannabis businesses are making a "mockery" of the city's distancing requirements.
Because several neighboring communities have banned medical-marijuana businesses, Troxell said, patients will stream into Fort Collins. A district judge is scheduled to rule next week on Loveland's voter-approved ban of medical-cannabis businesses.
"Frankly, this leaves the door wide open in Fort Collins," Troxell said. "And I worry about the impact that will have on future generations in this city."
News Hawk- Jacob Husky 420 MAGAZINE
Source: denverpost.com
Author: Monte Whaley
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: The Denver Post
Website: Fort Collins as a hub for pot users? City officials say no
