Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Owners of the two marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated Larimer County have asked the county commissioners for a firm decision on whether they can sell recreational edible products.
"They'd like to have a definitive yes or no," said Lew Gaiter, one of three elected commissioners. "One of the biggest issues is that it's in limbo."
Gaiter expects the board to take up the request to sell edibles at a Tuesday administrative matters meeting in the near future, to give the owners of the dispensaries a clear answer.
Three years ago, when the county allowed its two dispensaries to expand from medicinal to the then newly allowed recreational marijuana, they banned recreational edible products out of health safety concerns, including worries about children mistaking them for candies or cookies because of the packaging.
Now, the dispensary owners say, regulation of edibles has changed to make the packaging childproof and the marketing clear about what does and does not contain marijuana. They say those concerns have been addressed.
Plus, Fort Collins allows its 13 dispensaries to sell the edible products for recreation as well as medicine, which the dispensary owners in unincorporated Larimer County pointed out puts them at a competitive disadvantage because both of their businesses are on the outskirts of Fort Collins.
At a recent work session, the commissioners acknowledged that disadvantage but wanted to hear from the Larimer County Board of Health before deciding whether to reconsider the ban.
Thursday night, all three commissioners met with the Board of Health to gauge the members' opinions on the matter. Members of the health board had differing views, though as a whole, the board stood behind its previous stand to oppose recreational edibles.
Bernie Birnbaum noted that edibles likely are safer than smoking or vaping, and Stephen Yurash said that, because they are allowed in Fort Collins, lifting the ban would not change the accessibility.
However, two other members, Jana West Kowalski and Teri Olson, were adamant that they could not support edibles because they believe that any marijuana product is not healthy for the community.
"It's not like, as the Board of Health, we can say it's healthy now because you made all these changes," said Olson. "I can't say that. ... You, as commissioners, have other issues to look at, not just health, but for us, it is health."
The county commissioners' considerations include whether they are putting businesses at a disadvantage as well as the views from law enforcement and school officials, according to county officials.
At the commissioners' work session earlier this month, representatives of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office and the Thompson School District reiterated their opposition to lifting the ban on edibles. Their worries included how increased access would affect children and public safety.
Tom Donnelly, one of the three county commissioners who will make the ultimate decision, said he would not reconsider unless the health board changed its view, as he also worries about public health risks associated with the oversight of how the edibles are made and their expiration dates.
Neither Steve Johnson nor Gaiter, the other two commissioners, made firm statements about how they would vote. Johnson said he would like specific data on whether edibles increase exposure for children.
"If they don't, then I don't have a problem allowing it," he said.
Owners of the dispensaries provided information, at a work session earlier this month, that they say shows how the packaging has changed to protect children with "THC" clearly marked on the edible itself, different labels and even childproof containers. They also explained how every batch of the individual products is rigorously screened and tested for safety.
"I don't think there's any doubt that it's safer now with those regulations," Adrienne LeBailly, director of the county health department said at the Thursday meeting. "It doesn't take care of all the concerns, but it's safer than it used to be."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Larimer to decide on recreational pot edibles
Author: Pamela Johnson
Contact: How to contact us — The Denver Post
Photo Credit: Anya Semenoff
Website: The Denver Post – Colorado breaking news, sports, business, weather, entertainment.
"They'd like to have a definitive yes or no," said Lew Gaiter, one of three elected commissioners. "One of the biggest issues is that it's in limbo."
Gaiter expects the board to take up the request to sell edibles at a Tuesday administrative matters meeting in the near future, to give the owners of the dispensaries a clear answer.
Three years ago, when the county allowed its two dispensaries to expand from medicinal to the then newly allowed recreational marijuana, they banned recreational edible products out of health safety concerns, including worries about children mistaking them for candies or cookies because of the packaging.
Now, the dispensary owners say, regulation of edibles has changed to make the packaging childproof and the marketing clear about what does and does not contain marijuana. They say those concerns have been addressed.
Plus, Fort Collins allows its 13 dispensaries to sell the edible products for recreation as well as medicine, which the dispensary owners in unincorporated Larimer County pointed out puts them at a competitive disadvantage because both of their businesses are on the outskirts of Fort Collins.
At a recent work session, the commissioners acknowledged that disadvantage but wanted to hear from the Larimer County Board of Health before deciding whether to reconsider the ban.
Thursday night, all three commissioners met with the Board of Health to gauge the members' opinions on the matter. Members of the health board had differing views, though as a whole, the board stood behind its previous stand to oppose recreational edibles.
Bernie Birnbaum noted that edibles likely are safer than smoking or vaping, and Stephen Yurash said that, because they are allowed in Fort Collins, lifting the ban would not change the accessibility.
However, two other members, Jana West Kowalski and Teri Olson, were adamant that they could not support edibles because they believe that any marijuana product is not healthy for the community.
"It's not like, as the Board of Health, we can say it's healthy now because you made all these changes," said Olson. "I can't say that. ... You, as commissioners, have other issues to look at, not just health, but for us, it is health."
The county commissioners' considerations include whether they are putting businesses at a disadvantage as well as the views from law enforcement and school officials, according to county officials.
At the commissioners' work session earlier this month, representatives of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office and the Thompson School District reiterated their opposition to lifting the ban on edibles. Their worries included how increased access would affect children and public safety.
Tom Donnelly, one of the three county commissioners who will make the ultimate decision, said he would not reconsider unless the health board changed its view, as he also worries about public health risks associated with the oversight of how the edibles are made and their expiration dates.
Neither Steve Johnson nor Gaiter, the other two commissioners, made firm statements about how they would vote. Johnson said he would like specific data on whether edibles increase exposure for children.
"If they don't, then I don't have a problem allowing it," he said.
Owners of the dispensaries provided information, at a work session earlier this month, that they say shows how the packaging has changed to protect children with "THC" clearly marked on the edible itself, different labels and even childproof containers. They also explained how every batch of the individual products is rigorously screened and tested for safety.
"I don't think there's any doubt that it's safer now with those regulations," Adrienne LeBailly, director of the county health department said at the Thursday meeting. "It doesn't take care of all the concerns, but it's safer than it used to be."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Larimer to decide on recreational pot edibles
Author: Pamela Johnson
Contact: How to contact us — The Denver Post
Photo Credit: Anya Semenoff
Website: The Denver Post – Colorado breaking news, sports, business, weather, entertainment.
