A group collecting signatures for a proposed initiative to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado Springs says the effort is turning out to be a "monumental job."
That's why the group also is going to try to get City Council to refer the issue to the November ballot.
But at least one councilman said the group may have better luck trying to collect signatures because a council majority already has voted to allow medical marijuana businesses to register with the city.
"Even though I am hugely — and I can't stress this enough — I am hugely opposed to the dispensary model that was approved by the majority of my colleagues, I'm still not sure that even I would vote to refer it to the public because it would fly in the face of my philosophical belief in representative government," Councilman Scott Hente said Wednesday.
The group pushing for a ban plans to try to collect the required 11,470 signatures before the Aug. 6 deadline.
"We got a two-pronged approach here," said Steve Wind, who is leading the petition drive. "We're trying to get enough signatures so we can do it, and then that not withstanding, we can hopefully have people go to the City Council and tell them that they want to" vote on the issue.
The group launched a "call to action" on its website — www.letusvotecos.org.
"The marijuana industry is taking over Colorado Springs and it's time we did something about it," the website states. "Lets do it for our children!"
Wind said he has nearly 30 volunteers who have been collecting signatures the last two weeks. He said he didn't know how many signatures they've collected.
"I don't have the statistics in," he said. "We just started this."
Wind called the signature-gathering process "a pretty monumental job."
He said he just wants voters to have a say in the matter, which is allowed under a law signed by Gov. Bill Ritter.
"The point is that we have the right to vote, and we expect that the people will do the right thing," Wind said.
"But you know what? If it gets on the ballot and people vote to not ban marijuana dispensaries, well, I'll shut up," he said. "The people spoke, and that's what it's all about."
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Colorado Springs Gazette
Author: DANIEL CHACÓN
Contact: Colorado Springs Gazette
Copyright: 2010 Freedom Communications
Website: Group works dual efforts to get dispensary ban on ballot
That's why the group also is going to try to get City Council to refer the issue to the November ballot.
But at least one councilman said the group may have better luck trying to collect signatures because a council majority already has voted to allow medical marijuana businesses to register with the city.
"Even though I am hugely — and I can't stress this enough — I am hugely opposed to the dispensary model that was approved by the majority of my colleagues, I'm still not sure that even I would vote to refer it to the public because it would fly in the face of my philosophical belief in representative government," Councilman Scott Hente said Wednesday.
The group pushing for a ban plans to try to collect the required 11,470 signatures before the Aug. 6 deadline.
"We got a two-pronged approach here," said Steve Wind, who is leading the petition drive. "We're trying to get enough signatures so we can do it, and then that not withstanding, we can hopefully have people go to the City Council and tell them that they want to" vote on the issue.
The group launched a "call to action" on its website — www.letusvotecos.org.
"The marijuana industry is taking over Colorado Springs and it's time we did something about it," the website states. "Lets do it for our children!"
Wind said he has nearly 30 volunteers who have been collecting signatures the last two weeks. He said he didn't know how many signatures they've collected.
"I don't have the statistics in," he said. "We just started this."
Wind called the signature-gathering process "a pretty monumental job."
He said he just wants voters to have a say in the matter, which is allowed under a law signed by Gov. Bill Ritter.
"The point is that we have the right to vote, and we expect that the people will do the right thing," Wind said.
"But you know what? If it gets on the ballot and people vote to not ban marijuana dispensaries, well, I'll shut up," he said. "The people spoke, and that's what it's all about."
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Colorado Springs Gazette
Author: DANIEL CHACÓN
Contact: Colorado Springs Gazette
Copyright: 2010 Freedom Communications
Website: Group works dual efforts to get dispensary ban on ballot
