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County commissioners will vote today on regulations and controls that will establish the framework for the recreational marijuana industry in Pueblo. - See more at: The Pueblo Chieftain | Vote today on retail pot regs
The three commissioners will likely accept the new guidelines that address everything from fees, store front appearance and advertising, to new zoning laws for shops and number of initial retail businesses.
The vote will come during the commissioners' 9 a.m. meeting at the Pueblo County Courthouse.
Unlike many municipalities and local governments that have implemented moratoriums for recreational pot, Pueblo County has chosen to regulate and open the market.
On Tuesday, commissioners held a final public work session to go over proposed regulations and policies for retail marijuana businesses.
The draft policies mirror those of the county's medical marijuana guidelines, but with some modifications.
A significant change is to open up zoning, allowing retail shops into 10 zoning districts – agriculture and residential – that were prohibited for medical marijuana dispensaries.
The county also proposes reducing the buffer zone from 500 feet to 250 feet.
As the proposal stands, retail pot shops and greenhouses could not be located within 250 feet of existing churches, religious institutions, alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers, child care facilities, group homes for the developmentally disabled, halfway houses or correctional facilities, and another marijuana business.
"The zoning regs you're changing took years to get in place (and) a lot of hearings. The resident buffer zone was a super, super hot button," real estate agent Bill Schawbe said, who is concerned about allowing pot businesses closer to residential areas and future businesses cropping up on the U.S. 50 corridor on the St. Charles Mesa.
"If I lived out in the Mesa, I think we'd still want a little buffer zone."
There are currently six medical marijuana dispensaries in Pueblo County, with four new businesses going through the licensing process.
Under state law, existing medical marijuana dispensaries will be the first to obtain retail licensing to start selling recreational pot on Jan. 1, 2014.
Commissioners are proposing to cap the number of retail businesses at 10 (which totals the number the current dispensaries and those in the application process) for possibly a year.
"In limiting, we won't be stressing county resources, there won't be a shock in the community and there won't be a huge influx of stores. It'll allow the market to shake itself out a bit," Commissioner Sal Pace said.
Commissioners also will decide today on the cut-off date for new medical marijuana dispensaries to submit their final paperwork to be able to transition to retail operations next year. That date could be Dec. 31.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: chieftain.com
Author: Nick Bonham
Contact: The Pueblo Chieftain | Contact
Website: The Pueblo Chieftain | Vote today on retail pot regs
The three commissioners will likely accept the new guidelines that address everything from fees, store front appearance and advertising, to new zoning laws for shops and number of initial retail businesses.
The vote will come during the commissioners' 9 a.m. meeting at the Pueblo County Courthouse.
Unlike many municipalities and local governments that have implemented moratoriums for recreational pot, Pueblo County has chosen to regulate and open the market.
On Tuesday, commissioners held a final public work session to go over proposed regulations and policies for retail marijuana businesses.
The draft policies mirror those of the county's medical marijuana guidelines, but with some modifications.
A significant change is to open up zoning, allowing retail shops into 10 zoning districts – agriculture and residential – that were prohibited for medical marijuana dispensaries.
The county also proposes reducing the buffer zone from 500 feet to 250 feet.
As the proposal stands, retail pot shops and greenhouses could not be located within 250 feet of existing churches, religious institutions, alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers, child care facilities, group homes for the developmentally disabled, halfway houses or correctional facilities, and another marijuana business.
"The zoning regs you're changing took years to get in place (and) a lot of hearings. The resident buffer zone was a super, super hot button," real estate agent Bill Schawbe said, who is concerned about allowing pot businesses closer to residential areas and future businesses cropping up on the U.S. 50 corridor on the St. Charles Mesa.
"If I lived out in the Mesa, I think we'd still want a little buffer zone."
There are currently six medical marijuana dispensaries in Pueblo County, with four new businesses going through the licensing process.
Under state law, existing medical marijuana dispensaries will be the first to obtain retail licensing to start selling recreational pot on Jan. 1, 2014.
Commissioners are proposing to cap the number of retail businesses at 10 (which totals the number the current dispensaries and those in the application process) for possibly a year.
"In limiting, we won't be stressing county resources, there won't be a shock in the community and there won't be a huge influx of stores. It'll allow the market to shake itself out a bit," Commissioner Sal Pace said.
Commissioners also will decide today on the cut-off date for new medical marijuana dispensaries to submit their final paperwork to be able to transition to retail operations next year. That date could be Dec. 31.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: chieftain.com
Author: Nick Bonham
Contact: The Pueblo Chieftain | Contact
Website: The Pueblo Chieftain | Vote today on retail pot regs
