City council candidates in both Lafayette and Louisville generally support allowing medical marijuana dispensaries -- but they want to see regulations.
Both cities recently approved moratoriums on new dispensaries that expire in the spring. Those elected to the councils in November will vote on whether to extend the moratoriums, allow new dispensaries or ban them altogether.
In Lafayette, all seven City Council candidates agreed with the decision to enact a moratorium, approved unanimously last week by the current council. The seven candidates are competing for four seats.
The three incumbents also said they're likely to vote to approve new dispensaries once regulations are in place.
Mayor Chris Cameron said she wants regulations that address land use and security. She said she also wants rules that "insure that the providers are reputable and limiting their business to legitimate medical patients."
Councilwoman Carolyn Cutler said issues that need to be addressed -- some at the state level -- include pricing, quality control, who qualifies for treatment and vendor oversight.
"There is no doubt that the use of marijuana has a medicinal value," she said. "Those who meet the criteria to use the substance have a right to access. Outlawing local access sends a message that usage is wrong. The right or wrong decision was already made and not by us."
Councilman Alex Schatz said he's provided some ideas to city staff members in hopes of expediting draft regulations.
He said regulations should include location limitations and emphasize that dispensaries are intended exclusively for medicinal purposes. He said licensing fees and excise taxes also may be appropriate.
Support among the other four candidates varies.
Carole Mock said she's undecided about whether she would vote to allow new dispensaries. If they are allowed, she said, accountability and possibly police monitoring are needed.
"We need to make sure there is a true medical reason and relationship between a law abiding physician and the patient, just like any other prescription drug," she said.
Staci Lupberger pointed to the proliferation of dispensaries in California -- and recent police raids and closures -- as a reason for caution.
"We want to make the right decisions for our community and avoid any negative repercussions," she said.
Kristin Richeimer said she supports dispensaries, as long as there are regulations to protect residents and clear direction is provided to police officers.
At a minimum, she said, dispensaries should go through a public hearing process that's similar to what's used for liquor licenses so that "residents in the immediate area have an avenue to voice concerns and object."
Candidate Brian Herzfeld said the city has the opportunity to "selectively choose from the best and most viable of these types of businesses" and may not need a full six-month moratorium.
"Lafayette has the potential now to position itself as a progressive, forward-thinking city," he said.
Louisville candidates
In Louisville, where two of the three incumbents face challengers, two candidates support dispensaries and two are undecided. Frost Yarnell, whose race isn't contested, didn't provide a response.
Councilman Ron Sackett, who voted in favor of the moratorium, said he's waiting for guidance from the state before deciding.
Larry Brassem, who's challenging Sackett for the Ward 3 seat, said he would support allowing new dispensaries once the state provides guidance. He said he favors "common sense" rules, such as age limits and verification of prescriptions.
"If we deny these types of businesses, they will crop up in neighboring communities and Louisville will lose the tax revenue," he said.
Councilman Bob Muckle also supports allowing dispensaries. He said possibilities for regulation include hours of operation, signage, security requirements and the amount of product that can be kept on site.
"Hopefully, the state Legislature and health department will take the lead on this issue since having a hodgepodge of regulations statewide will be a burden for enforcement," he said.
Michael Menaker, who's challenging Muckle for the Ward 1 seat, said he can't make an informed comment on the issue because he wasn't privy to the legal advice provided to the City Council in a closed session.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Daily Camera
Author: Amy Bounds
Contact: Boulder DailyCamera.com: Colorado, News, Business, Sports, Homes, Jobs, Cars & Information - Boulder Daily Camera
Copyright: Copyright 2009 Media News group
Website:Lafayette, Louisville council candidates support medical-marijuana dispensaries - Boulder Daily Camera
Both cities recently approved moratoriums on new dispensaries that expire in the spring. Those elected to the councils in November will vote on whether to extend the moratoriums, allow new dispensaries or ban them altogether.
In Lafayette, all seven City Council candidates agreed with the decision to enact a moratorium, approved unanimously last week by the current council. The seven candidates are competing for four seats.
The three incumbents also said they're likely to vote to approve new dispensaries once regulations are in place.
Mayor Chris Cameron said she wants regulations that address land use and security. She said she also wants rules that "insure that the providers are reputable and limiting their business to legitimate medical patients."
Councilwoman Carolyn Cutler said issues that need to be addressed -- some at the state level -- include pricing, quality control, who qualifies for treatment and vendor oversight.
"There is no doubt that the use of marijuana has a medicinal value," she said. "Those who meet the criteria to use the substance have a right to access. Outlawing local access sends a message that usage is wrong. The right or wrong decision was already made and not by us."
Councilman Alex Schatz said he's provided some ideas to city staff members in hopes of expediting draft regulations.
He said regulations should include location limitations and emphasize that dispensaries are intended exclusively for medicinal purposes. He said licensing fees and excise taxes also may be appropriate.
Support among the other four candidates varies.
Carole Mock said she's undecided about whether she would vote to allow new dispensaries. If they are allowed, she said, accountability and possibly police monitoring are needed.
"We need to make sure there is a true medical reason and relationship between a law abiding physician and the patient, just like any other prescription drug," she said.
Staci Lupberger pointed to the proliferation of dispensaries in California -- and recent police raids and closures -- as a reason for caution.
"We want to make the right decisions for our community and avoid any negative repercussions," she said.
Kristin Richeimer said she supports dispensaries, as long as there are regulations to protect residents and clear direction is provided to police officers.
At a minimum, she said, dispensaries should go through a public hearing process that's similar to what's used for liquor licenses so that "residents in the immediate area have an avenue to voice concerns and object."
Candidate Brian Herzfeld said the city has the opportunity to "selectively choose from the best and most viable of these types of businesses" and may not need a full six-month moratorium.
"Lafayette has the potential now to position itself as a progressive, forward-thinking city," he said.
Louisville candidates
In Louisville, where two of the three incumbents face challengers, two candidates support dispensaries and two are undecided. Frost Yarnell, whose race isn't contested, didn't provide a response.
Councilman Ron Sackett, who voted in favor of the moratorium, said he's waiting for guidance from the state before deciding.
Larry Brassem, who's challenging Sackett for the Ward 3 seat, said he would support allowing new dispensaries once the state provides guidance. He said he favors "common sense" rules, such as age limits and verification of prescriptions.
"If we deny these types of businesses, they will crop up in neighboring communities and Louisville will lose the tax revenue," he said.
Councilman Bob Muckle also supports allowing dispensaries. He said possibilities for regulation include hours of operation, signage, security requirements and the amount of product that can be kept on site.
"Hopefully, the state Legislature and health department will take the lead on this issue since having a hodgepodge of regulations statewide will be a burden for enforcement," he said.
Michael Menaker, who's challenging Muckle for the Ward 1 seat, said he can't make an informed comment on the issue because he wasn't privy to the legal advice provided to the City Council in a closed session.
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Daily Camera
Author: Amy Bounds
Contact: Boulder DailyCamera.com: Colorado, News, Business, Sports, Homes, Jobs, Cars & Information - Boulder Daily Camera
Copyright: Copyright 2009 Media News group
Website:Lafayette, Louisville council candidates support medical-marijuana dispensaries - Boulder Daily Camera
