Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
A Boulder dispensary has hired an outside public affairs firm to lobby elected officials and keep tabs on Longmont's discussions about the city's marijuana dispensary ban.
As the Longmont City Council rejected and then resurrected discussion around repealing the city's ban on marijuana dispensaries, owners of The Farm in Boulder hired lobbyists Amy Attwood and Jason Hopfer to keep track of the developments.
Attwood owns Attwood Public Affairs, which subcontracted Hopfer, who owns JLH Public Affairs.
Hopfer, who does lobbying, public relations and government relations for hire, said this was the first local government work he's done for a marijuana-related industry. Attwood said it is not a first for her, as several cities have discussed marijuana issues since recreational marijuana sales were legalized in Colorado in 2012.
Hopfer met with council members Brian Bagley and Gabe Santos, who both have been against allowing marijuana dispensaries to open within city limits.
Hopfer said he intends to contact all of the council members. Right now he is gathering information from council members rather than advocating for a position, however the owner of The Farm would like to see the ban repealed and outside marijuana stores allowed in, Hopfer said.
Devin Liles, The Farm's owner, was out of town and unavailable for comment, Hopfer said.
Santos said Friday that his meeting with Hopfer was cordial, and they mostly talked about family. Meetings with organizations or government affairs firms are not uncommon, Santos said.
Mayor Dennis Coombs, who has generally expressed support for repealing Longmont's dispensary ban, said he didn't recall being contacted by Hopfer. Coombs noted the city's internal email system has been on the fritz due to network issues.
Bagley said he met with Hopfer and the meeting didn't take a persuasive turn.
"He spent some time on his background as a lobbyist in D.C., and we talked a little bit about marijuana, but not a whole lot," Bagley said. "It was more of a personal visit to introduce himself and who he represented."
Bagley said he remembered being contacted by lobbyists for two other issues - fracking and municipal internet.
"It happens when there is considerable money on the line and when someone wants to earn money, they hire some lobbyists," said Bagley, who is against repealing the ban because he believes addiction is a key component of the marijuana industry. "Marijuana, at the end of the day, has become large multi-entity companies selling pot."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Longmont's Discussion Of Retail Marijuana Ban Draws Lobbyists
Author: Karen Antonacci
Contact: 303-776-2244
Photo Credit: Cliff Grassmick
Website: Times-Call
As the Longmont City Council rejected and then resurrected discussion around repealing the city's ban on marijuana dispensaries, owners of The Farm in Boulder hired lobbyists Amy Attwood and Jason Hopfer to keep track of the developments.
Attwood owns Attwood Public Affairs, which subcontracted Hopfer, who owns JLH Public Affairs.
Hopfer, who does lobbying, public relations and government relations for hire, said this was the first local government work he's done for a marijuana-related industry. Attwood said it is not a first for her, as several cities have discussed marijuana issues since recreational marijuana sales were legalized in Colorado in 2012.
Hopfer met with council members Brian Bagley and Gabe Santos, who both have been against allowing marijuana dispensaries to open within city limits.
Hopfer said he intends to contact all of the council members. Right now he is gathering information from council members rather than advocating for a position, however the owner of The Farm would like to see the ban repealed and outside marijuana stores allowed in, Hopfer said.
Devin Liles, The Farm's owner, was out of town and unavailable for comment, Hopfer said.
Santos said Friday that his meeting with Hopfer was cordial, and they mostly talked about family. Meetings with organizations or government affairs firms are not uncommon, Santos said.
Mayor Dennis Coombs, who has generally expressed support for repealing Longmont's dispensary ban, said he didn't recall being contacted by Hopfer. Coombs noted the city's internal email system has been on the fritz due to network issues.
Bagley said he met with Hopfer and the meeting didn't take a persuasive turn.
"He spent some time on his background as a lobbyist in D.C., and we talked a little bit about marijuana, but not a whole lot," Bagley said. "It was more of a personal visit to introduce himself and who he represented."
Bagley said he remembered being contacted by lobbyists for two other issues - fracking and municipal internet.
"It happens when there is considerable money on the line and when someone wants to earn money, they hire some lobbyists," said Bagley, who is against repealing the ban because he believes addiction is a key component of the marijuana industry. "Marijuana, at the end of the day, has become large multi-entity companies selling pot."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Longmont's Discussion Of Retail Marijuana Ban Draws Lobbyists
Author: Karen Antonacci
Contact: 303-776-2244
Photo Credit: Cliff Grassmick
Website: Times-Call
