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Estes Park's moratorium on marijuana dispensaries within town limits will stand -- even after Amendment 64 takes effect Jan. 1.
"Amendment 64 does not affect existing medical marijuana laws, including the town ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana centers in town limits," said Estes Park public information officer Kate Rusch.
Estes Park enacted the moratorium prohibiting medical marijuana centers within town limits on Oct. 26, 2010 in response to a burgeoning medical marijuana industry in areas of Colorado. The town adopted the ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana centers, optional premises cultivation operations and medical marijuana infused products manufacturing in Estes Park. There were no grandfathered businesses in operation at that time in Estes Park, meaning the ordinance effectively blocked any businesses establishing themselves within the town. A temporary moratorium remained in place until the ordinance took effect on November 29, 2010.
The medical marijuana industry resulted when HB 10-1284 was passed in June of 2010 that established the Colorado Medical Marijuana Code (MMC) outlining state requirements for marijuana facilities. The code does this in much the same manner as state and local agencies monitor and regulate liquor licenses.
The amendment to legalize marijuana for recreational use by Colorado voters was overwhelmingly approved by state voters in the November election. The amendment makes it legal for the personal use, possession and limited home-growing of marijuana under Colorado law for adults 21 years of age and older. It is still illegal under the law to buy or sell marijuana or to consume marijuana in public.
Larimer County sheriff Justin Smith opposed the passage of Amendment 64 prior to the November vote. Prior to the vote, Smith said recreational use of marijuana could create serious problems.
"It would be like taking the problems experienced with the introduction of medical marijuana dispensaries in local communities and multiplying them tenfold, " Smith said.
He cited the increase in marijuana-related incidents experienced by his agency, the increase in drug-related school suspensions, individual family accounts of marijuana dependency with area youth, robberies of grow operations and dispensaries and a sharp increase in the marijuana DUIs that have coincided with the state sanctioning of medical marijuana businesses in Colorado, starting in 2009.
The passage of Amendment 64 is just the latest in a progression for legalizing marijuana in the state. In 2000, Colorado voters legalized medical marijuana use by patients with certain debilitating conditions andauthorized patients and designated primary caregivers to possess and grow certain amounts of marijuana.
Although the possession of marijuana is still illegal under federal law, in February, 2009 the federal government announced it would no longer enforce federal marijuana laws if the substance was used in accordance with state law.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: eptrail.com
Author: John Cordsen
Contact: Contact Us - Estes Park Trail-Gazette
Website: Estes Park moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries won't change in 2013 - Estes Park Trail-Gazette
"Amendment 64 does not affect existing medical marijuana laws, including the town ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana centers in town limits," said Estes Park public information officer Kate Rusch.
Estes Park enacted the moratorium prohibiting medical marijuana centers within town limits on Oct. 26, 2010 in response to a burgeoning medical marijuana industry in areas of Colorado. The town adopted the ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana centers, optional premises cultivation operations and medical marijuana infused products manufacturing in Estes Park. There were no grandfathered businesses in operation at that time in Estes Park, meaning the ordinance effectively blocked any businesses establishing themselves within the town. A temporary moratorium remained in place until the ordinance took effect on November 29, 2010.
The medical marijuana industry resulted when HB 10-1284 was passed in June of 2010 that established the Colorado Medical Marijuana Code (MMC) outlining state requirements for marijuana facilities. The code does this in much the same manner as state and local agencies monitor and regulate liquor licenses.
The amendment to legalize marijuana for recreational use by Colorado voters was overwhelmingly approved by state voters in the November election. The amendment makes it legal for the personal use, possession and limited home-growing of marijuana under Colorado law for adults 21 years of age and older. It is still illegal under the law to buy or sell marijuana or to consume marijuana in public.
Larimer County sheriff Justin Smith opposed the passage of Amendment 64 prior to the November vote. Prior to the vote, Smith said recreational use of marijuana could create serious problems.
"It would be like taking the problems experienced with the introduction of medical marijuana dispensaries in local communities and multiplying them tenfold, " Smith said.
He cited the increase in marijuana-related incidents experienced by his agency, the increase in drug-related school suspensions, individual family accounts of marijuana dependency with area youth, robberies of grow operations and dispensaries and a sharp increase in the marijuana DUIs that have coincided with the state sanctioning of medical marijuana businesses in Colorado, starting in 2009.
The passage of Amendment 64 is just the latest in a progression for legalizing marijuana in the state. In 2000, Colorado voters legalized medical marijuana use by patients with certain debilitating conditions andauthorized patients and designated primary caregivers to possess and grow certain amounts of marijuana.
Although the possession of marijuana is still illegal under federal law, in February, 2009 the federal government announced it would no longer enforce federal marijuana laws if the substance was used in accordance with state law.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: eptrail.com
Author: John Cordsen
Contact: Contact Us - Estes Park Trail-Gazette
Website: Estes Park moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries won't change in 2013 - Estes Park Trail-Gazette
