Survey: Fort Collins Would Suffer From Medical Marijuana Centers ban

Jacob Bell

New Member
FORT COLLINS, CO - A survey generated by a medical marijuana advocacy group says the banning of medical marijuana centers would harm Fort Collins's economy.

The survey, scheduled for release in late September and paid for by the Fort Collins Medical Cannabis Association, was conducted by Fort Collins-based Jami Duty Consulting. It found that "all the signs that help point to a healthy growing economy will be damaged by the closure of these dispensaries."

Fort Collins city council has placed a question about banning centers on the Nov. 1 ballot.

The intent of the survey was to "set a benchmark for cannabis businesses in Fort Collins," Terri Gomez, FCMCA representative, told the Business Report Daily. "We're pleased with the results showing that it is a vibrant spot in our economy. It demonstrates the financial commitment each of the business owners have made to our community."

Gomez, who is also the campaign director for Citizens for Safer Neighborhoods, said that FMCMA wanted to quantify how much money was invested and how much the community would forgo if medical marijuana centers were shut down.

Among other things, the survey reported that if the proposed ban is successful there will be 186 jobs lost as well as city sales tax revenue ($440,289.65 was collected January 2010 thru June 2011) and rental income to private property owners (25 properties would have to be vacated).

About half of the 23 centers operating in Fort Collins participated in the survey, with all 10 also members of FCMCA.

The survey also summarized the participating center owners' commitment to the community in terms of average number of years they had lived in Fort Collins - 18.4 years - as well as their total amount of charitable giving last year ($93,553), and the total amount they have spent on outside contractors and building improvements ($632,849) for their businesses.

Effective July 1, HB 1284 allowed Colorado cities and counties to regulate or ban medical marijuana centers within their jurisdictions. In Loveland, Greeley, Weld County and Windsor, commissioners, citizens or the city council have voted to shut down storefront centers that dispense medical marijuana.

However, medical marijuana caregivers - separate businesses from centers - are still legal. Caregivers have been providing marijuana for medical purposes for a small, select list of patients since 2000 when state voters passed Amendment 20.

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News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: ncbr.com
Author: NCBR staff
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Northern Colorado Business Report
Website: Survey: Fort Collins would suffer from medical marijuana centers ban
 
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