Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Pueblo County commissioners are poised to adopt new marijuana and hemp regulations that appear to be an improvement over current county rules. They are scheduled to vote on the two marijuana-related amendments next Wednesday.
One amendment would change some regulations on medical and retail marijuana stores, including a new buffer between stores and public review of applications for stores near residential neighborhoods.
County Planning Director Joan Armstrong said the changes were prompted in part by criticism over two recent stores - a medical marijuana center on the former Sports Garden property off 11th Street and Pueblo Boulevard and a recreational pot store on Thatcher Avenue.
The new regs would make stores within 250 feet of residential areas a use by review, thus allowing the planning and zoning commission and possibly the county commissioners to hold public hearings on them.
Public hearings would allow neighbors to get involved in the review of proposed pot businesses in the future.
Commissioners also will consider establishing a 1,000-foot buffer between new marijuana stores. The county's current moratorium on new pot licenses runs through 2016, although the timetable is subject to change by the commissioners.
A second amendment deals with regulating hemp farms, allowing the plant, which has less than one-third of 1 percent THC, to be grown in agricultural or industrial zones in Pueblo County.
"There's significant potential for the industry," Commissioner Sal Pace said. "Hemp is a product that's used for a whole host of opportunities, from paper to rope to clothing and there's a demand for it."
Hemp growers already are licensed by the state through the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Taken together, the new regulations seem to be a good move by the county commissioners.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Upgrade pot regs | The Pueblo Chieftain
Author: Web Staff
Contact: News tips | The Pueblo Chieftain
Photo Credit: Hashish House
Website: The Pueblo Chieftain: Southern Colorado local news, sports, business, entertainment, opinion, weather, classifieds
One amendment would change some regulations on medical and retail marijuana stores, including a new buffer between stores and public review of applications for stores near residential neighborhoods.
County Planning Director Joan Armstrong said the changes were prompted in part by criticism over two recent stores - a medical marijuana center on the former Sports Garden property off 11th Street and Pueblo Boulevard and a recreational pot store on Thatcher Avenue.
The new regs would make stores within 250 feet of residential areas a use by review, thus allowing the planning and zoning commission and possibly the county commissioners to hold public hearings on them.
Public hearings would allow neighbors to get involved in the review of proposed pot businesses in the future.
Commissioners also will consider establishing a 1,000-foot buffer between new marijuana stores. The county's current moratorium on new pot licenses runs through 2016, although the timetable is subject to change by the commissioners.
A second amendment deals with regulating hemp farms, allowing the plant, which has less than one-third of 1 percent THC, to be grown in agricultural or industrial zones in Pueblo County.
"There's significant potential for the industry," Commissioner Sal Pace said. "Hemp is a product that's used for a whole host of opportunities, from paper to rope to clothing and there's a demand for it."
Hemp growers already are licensed by the state through the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Taken together, the new regulations seem to be a good move by the county commissioners.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Upgrade pot regs | The Pueblo Chieftain
Author: Web Staff
Contact: News tips | The Pueblo Chieftain
Photo Credit: Hashish House
Website: The Pueblo Chieftain: Southern Colorado local news, sports, business, entertainment, opinion, weather, classifieds
