The passage of a bill regulating medical marijuana dispensaries in the state is prompting the city of Colorado Springs to create a "pre-application process" to allow existing businesses to continue to operate.
The bill, which Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to sign, includes a provision that requires "an established, locally approved medical marijuana business to complete forms and pay all related fees," according to a proposed ordinance from City Clerk Kathryn Young.
But Young said the July 1 effective date of the bill "does not allow sufficient time to conduct public hearings and allow two formal readings of" an ordinance that Colorado Springs is developing to regulate the medical marijuana industry.
That's why Young is proposing an ordinance that "creates a pre-application process and permits current medical marijuana businesses to continue in operation pending city and state licensure."
Under the proposal, medical marijuana dispensaries would pay $500 "for each license type ... to defray the costs of administering the pre-application process," Young wrote in a memo to the City Council.
"This fee will be credited toward the applicant's future application fee once the amount if fully established," she wrote.
The council will consider the proposed ordinance during Tuesday's formal meeting, which starts at 1 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Colorado Springs Gazette
Author: DANIEL CHACÓN
Contact: Colorado Springs Gazette
Copyright: 2010 Freedom Communications
Website: Springs mulls tweaking medical marijuana rules
The bill, which Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to sign, includes a provision that requires "an established, locally approved medical marijuana business to complete forms and pay all related fees," according to a proposed ordinance from City Clerk Kathryn Young.
But Young said the July 1 effective date of the bill "does not allow sufficient time to conduct public hearings and allow two formal readings of" an ordinance that Colorado Springs is developing to regulate the medical marijuana industry.
That's why Young is proposing an ordinance that "creates a pre-application process and permits current medical marijuana businesses to continue in operation pending city and state licensure."
Under the proposal, medical marijuana dispensaries would pay $500 "for each license type ... to defray the costs of administering the pre-application process," Young wrote in a memo to the City Council.
"This fee will be credited toward the applicant's future application fee once the amount if fully established," she wrote.
The council will consider the proposed ordinance during Tuesday's formal meeting, which starts at 1 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Colorado Springs Gazette
Author: DANIEL CHACÓN
Contact: Colorado Springs Gazette
Copyright: 2010 Freedom Communications
Website: Springs mulls tweaking medical marijuana rules
