Viewpoints from both sides of the medical marijuana issue were expressed at the Hotchkiss public hearing. However, of those who live in Hotchkiss, there was more opposed to retail sales and growing operations being allowed within town limits.
Hotchkiss Mayor Wendell Koontz gave each citizen about two minutes to give their opinion. All had to sign a sheet with their name and address in order to speak. If anyone had additional comments, they were encouraged to mail or e-mail those comments to the town clerk.
The mayor reviewed that medical marijuana and dispensaries are legal in Colorado and that the legislature "has left it up to counties and municipalities to accept or deny dispensaries within town and to regulate dispensaries according to local wishes."
Currently the Town of Hotchkiss has a moratorium in effect until July 1, 2011. Koontz said the citizen's input would help the board of trustees determine whether to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in town and, if so, what regulations need to be in place "that would be reasonable and enforceable."
The Hotchkiss trustees will have a work session on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the issue. At the town council meeting at 6:30 p.m., the mayor and trustees want to decide the issue.
"Please understand that the board is intelligently informed," Mayor Koontz stated. They have been working on the issue for over two years.
Wade Meredith of Willow Heights said he was opposed and doesn't see any benefit of dispensaries to the town.
Alice McCracken who lives on Barrow Mesa Road is opposed to dispensaries in Hotchkiss because it would be a bad influence on her children and grandchildren. It is available in Delta and Crawford.
Paonia dispensary owner Scott Wilson said he is being forced out of business after a large investment by him and his partner. They are willing to move their center to Hotchkiss. He said if there are no dispensaries, there will be caregivers all throughout the valley. There are no regulations for caregivers, but 22 pages of regulations for dispensaries.
John Marta of Hotchkiss said he believes there will be more crime if dispensaries are allowed and that there is too much marijuana in the town now.
Jere Lowe, a North Fork resident and a patient, advised Hotchkiss "to leave the status quo in place for now or stay as far away as you can for now. The dust will probably settle over this." He said he thinks the town will in the end have no regulatory authority. If the town allows dispensaries, he suggested they add no regulations to the state's regulations. He feels the dispensaries are already overregulated. It's a patient rights issue.
Becky Armstrong who lives on Orchard Street wants medical marijuana banned in town.
Paonia dispensary owner George Barker who lives in Hotchkiss said he has compassion for people dying. He doesn't sell to kids so they can get high. He was able to get off all of his medication after using medical marijuana for seven months. He said people on fixed incomes who use hard prescription medication see their quality of life distroyed. Thirty to 40 percent of his patients are dying. Medications are killing them on the inside. He wants to make people comfortable who are in pain and dying.
Pat McCormick of Paonia said he was able to eat with medical marijuana after chemotherapy. He has cancer. He doesn't take prescription medication.
James Hopper of Hotchkiss said he and his wife are opposed. They believe the marijuana will be misused, and they don't want to add to the work of the police.
Jim Pratt lives near the high school. He is in favor of legalizing marijuana nationally. But, he is not in favor of opening dispensaries in Hotchkiss. He believes it will invite a lot of problems.
Marley Duclo who lives on Poplar Way said he is against having dispensaries in town. He thinks marijuana should be legalized, but he doesn't think it's the town council's job to say there can be dispensaries in town as long as the federal government says marijuana is illegal.
Jay Zieglar who owns a dispensary in Crawford said there has been no crime at his location. He said there hasn't been an increase in crime in two large areas in Denver.
Bob Pennetta who works on Bridge Street said the town should not turn down business due to the economy. He said the State of Colorado allows dispensaries. Local farmers could grow marijuana. The town would make tax money.
Of those who spoke, seven were opposed and six were in favor of allowing the dispensaries within town limits.
The council will have a work session on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 5:30 p.m. and plan to make a decision at their town council meeting at 6:30 p.m.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Delta County Independent
Author: Kathy Browning
Contact: Delta County Independent
Copyright: 2010 Delta County Independent
Website: Citizens split on having medical marijuana dispensaries in Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss Mayor Wendell Koontz gave each citizen about two minutes to give their opinion. All had to sign a sheet with their name and address in order to speak. If anyone had additional comments, they were encouraged to mail or e-mail those comments to the town clerk.
The mayor reviewed that medical marijuana and dispensaries are legal in Colorado and that the legislature "has left it up to counties and municipalities to accept or deny dispensaries within town and to regulate dispensaries according to local wishes."
Currently the Town of Hotchkiss has a moratorium in effect until July 1, 2011. Koontz said the citizen's input would help the board of trustees determine whether to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in town and, if so, what regulations need to be in place "that would be reasonable and enforceable."
The Hotchkiss trustees will have a work session on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the issue. At the town council meeting at 6:30 p.m., the mayor and trustees want to decide the issue.
"Please understand that the board is intelligently informed," Mayor Koontz stated. They have been working on the issue for over two years.
Wade Meredith of Willow Heights said he was opposed and doesn't see any benefit of dispensaries to the town.
Alice McCracken who lives on Barrow Mesa Road is opposed to dispensaries in Hotchkiss because it would be a bad influence on her children and grandchildren. It is available in Delta and Crawford.
Paonia dispensary owner Scott Wilson said he is being forced out of business after a large investment by him and his partner. They are willing to move their center to Hotchkiss. He said if there are no dispensaries, there will be caregivers all throughout the valley. There are no regulations for caregivers, but 22 pages of regulations for dispensaries.
John Marta of Hotchkiss said he believes there will be more crime if dispensaries are allowed and that there is too much marijuana in the town now.
Jere Lowe, a North Fork resident and a patient, advised Hotchkiss "to leave the status quo in place for now or stay as far away as you can for now. The dust will probably settle over this." He said he thinks the town will in the end have no regulatory authority. If the town allows dispensaries, he suggested they add no regulations to the state's regulations. He feels the dispensaries are already overregulated. It's a patient rights issue.
Becky Armstrong who lives on Orchard Street wants medical marijuana banned in town.
Paonia dispensary owner George Barker who lives in Hotchkiss said he has compassion for people dying. He doesn't sell to kids so they can get high. He was able to get off all of his medication after using medical marijuana for seven months. He said people on fixed incomes who use hard prescription medication see their quality of life distroyed. Thirty to 40 percent of his patients are dying. Medications are killing them on the inside. He wants to make people comfortable who are in pain and dying.
Pat McCormick of Paonia said he was able to eat with medical marijuana after chemotherapy. He has cancer. He doesn't take prescription medication.
James Hopper of Hotchkiss said he and his wife are opposed. They believe the marijuana will be misused, and they don't want to add to the work of the police.
Jim Pratt lives near the high school. He is in favor of legalizing marijuana nationally. But, he is not in favor of opening dispensaries in Hotchkiss. He believes it will invite a lot of problems.
Marley Duclo who lives on Poplar Way said he is against having dispensaries in town. He thinks marijuana should be legalized, but he doesn't think it's the town council's job to say there can be dispensaries in town as long as the federal government says marijuana is illegal.
Jay Zieglar who owns a dispensary in Crawford said there has been no crime at his location. He said there hasn't been an increase in crime in two large areas in Denver.
Bob Pennetta who works on Bridge Street said the town should not turn down business due to the economy. He said the State of Colorado allows dispensaries. Local farmers could grow marijuana. The town would make tax money.
Of those who spoke, seven were opposed and six were in favor of allowing the dispensaries within town limits.
The council will have a work session on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 5:30 p.m. and plan to make a decision at their town council meeting at 6:30 p.m.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Delta County Independent
Author: Kathy Browning
Contact: Delta County Independent
Copyright: 2010 Delta County Independent
Website: Citizens split on having medical marijuana dispensaries in Hotchkiss
