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Ganja entrepreneurs are looking to open two new medical marijuana dispensaries in Aspen this fall, so they can be among the first businesses that are allowed to take part in the recreational pot industry.
At a work session on Monday, Aspen City Council members said they supported the notion of capping the number of retail pot outlets in town at the number of existing medical dispensaries, at least for the first year or two.
The state is giving existing medical marijuana businesses the first chance to apply for a license to sell pot to anyone over 21 years old, as approved last year by Colorado voters. New operators outside the medical marijuana community may begin seeking state licenses in July, but local jurisdictions are allowed to limit the number of retail shops in their communities.
There are three existing medical pot shops in city limits. Representatives of two more businesses that want to operate in Aspen told City Council on Monday they are in the process of getting their state medical marijuana license, so they can apply by the Oct. 1 deadline to be among the first wave of recreational pot shops.
The city of Aspen is reviewing proposed local rules for the pot trade. The local policy on the table considers anyone with a complete application pending with the state for a medical facility as of Oct. 1 to be an existing medical marijuana dispensary. This is likely to be a very valuable designation come Jan. 1, when the state will begin issuing licenses to operate retail pot shops.
Proprietors of two of the three medical dispensaries in Aspen argued that the town should not allow the two medical newcomers to be part of the retail pot trade.
"My concern is, if we allow that, we allow something into the mix that is unknown," said Jordan Lewis, owner of Silverpeak Apothecary.
The argument appeared to be seconded by planning director Chris Bendon, who said his department's preference is to work with existing operators. He said there is a concern about working with new operators "not as familiar with the community," and who "don't have the same respect for local law" as those who have been established for a few years.
Ron Radtke, owner of Green Essentials dispensary in Glenwood Springs, who is one of the pending medical licensees in Aspen, told council he is an experienced operator and that as a valley local since the '70s, he "understands the requirements of Aspen."
Radtke said he submitted his medical license application to the state and his business license application to the city last week. He plans to lease a space at the corner of Mill Street and Hyman Avenue, he said.
"I realize this needs to be limited," Radtke said. "... [But] I think I will be an asset to this community."
Adam Rothberg, also long-time local, said he represents another group with a pending medical license for Aspen. He said he "understands the desire to have less competition," but urged council to allow his group to do business. He noted that to get a medical license from the state, an applicant must have two signed leases – one for a dispensary space and another for a cultivation site. Rothberg said his group is ready to sign both leases, but is awaiting council's direction at this "critical juncture."
Council will revisit the cap policy, and other proposed regulations on the local pot business, at Monday's regular meeting. One of those regulations prohibits "pot clubs" that would be oriented around consumption, much like a bar. But due to ambiguity in the state law about whether such activity would constitute prohibited public consumption, city officials are recommending against the concept.
Bendon did note that a pot club could provide a needed outlet for consumption for tourists who can't smoke in their condo or hotel room and don't want to risk using publicly.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: aspendailynews.com
Author: Curtis Wackerle
Contact: Contact Us | Aspen Daily News Online
Website: Two more operators looking to open pot ?businesses in Aspen | Aspen Daily News Online
At a work session on Monday, Aspen City Council members said they supported the notion of capping the number of retail pot outlets in town at the number of existing medical dispensaries, at least for the first year or two.
The state is giving existing medical marijuana businesses the first chance to apply for a license to sell pot to anyone over 21 years old, as approved last year by Colorado voters. New operators outside the medical marijuana community may begin seeking state licenses in July, but local jurisdictions are allowed to limit the number of retail shops in their communities.
There are three existing medical pot shops in city limits. Representatives of two more businesses that want to operate in Aspen told City Council on Monday they are in the process of getting their state medical marijuana license, so they can apply by the Oct. 1 deadline to be among the first wave of recreational pot shops.
The city of Aspen is reviewing proposed local rules for the pot trade. The local policy on the table considers anyone with a complete application pending with the state for a medical facility as of Oct. 1 to be an existing medical marijuana dispensary. This is likely to be a very valuable designation come Jan. 1, when the state will begin issuing licenses to operate retail pot shops.
Proprietors of two of the three medical dispensaries in Aspen argued that the town should not allow the two medical newcomers to be part of the retail pot trade.
"My concern is, if we allow that, we allow something into the mix that is unknown," said Jordan Lewis, owner of Silverpeak Apothecary.
The argument appeared to be seconded by planning director Chris Bendon, who said his department's preference is to work with existing operators. He said there is a concern about working with new operators "not as familiar with the community," and who "don't have the same respect for local law" as those who have been established for a few years.
Ron Radtke, owner of Green Essentials dispensary in Glenwood Springs, who is one of the pending medical licensees in Aspen, told council he is an experienced operator and that as a valley local since the '70s, he "understands the requirements of Aspen."
Radtke said he submitted his medical license application to the state and his business license application to the city last week. He plans to lease a space at the corner of Mill Street and Hyman Avenue, he said.
"I realize this needs to be limited," Radtke said. "... [But] I think I will be an asset to this community."
Adam Rothberg, also long-time local, said he represents another group with a pending medical license for Aspen. He said he "understands the desire to have less competition," but urged council to allow his group to do business. He noted that to get a medical license from the state, an applicant must have two signed leases – one for a dispensary space and another for a cultivation site. Rothberg said his group is ready to sign both leases, but is awaiting council's direction at this "critical juncture."
Council will revisit the cap policy, and other proposed regulations on the local pot business, at Monday's regular meeting. One of those regulations prohibits "pot clubs" that would be oriented around consumption, much like a bar. But due to ambiguity in the state law about whether such activity would constitute prohibited public consumption, city officials are recommending against the concept.
Bendon did note that a pot club could provide a needed outlet for consumption for tourists who can't smoke in their condo or hotel room and don't want to risk using publicly.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: aspendailynews.com
Author: Curtis Wackerle
Contact: Contact Us | Aspen Daily News Online
Website: Two more operators looking to open pot ?businesses in Aspen | Aspen Daily News Online
