MedicalNeed
New Member
Starting a business always is tough, but it's even tougher when the local government's rules for operating the proposed enterprise keep changing.
Toss in the fact that the product of the business - in this case, marijuana - is illegal under federal law but permitted for medicinal use under Colorado law, and it's really a tough row to hoe.
That's the situation Choice Organics, a fledgling medical marijuana business, is in as it tries to set up shop in a commercial district just outside Fort Collins city limits.
Choice Organics' owners - Seth and Sally Gustin and Brian and Erica Freeman - are awaiting a decision by the Larimer County commissioners to learn whether they may continue in their attempt to receive approval to operate.
Last month, the commissioners said they intend to ban medical marijuana businesses in unincorporated parts of the county. But they did not say what would happen to businesses that are already going through the county's development review process.
That decision could come Tuesday, when the commissioners are scheduled to have a closed-door executive session to receive legal advice on the matter from the county attorney.
"This has been so frustrating," Erica Freeman said. "We've done everything they wanted us to do. Now we just want a chance to see it through and finish what we started."
Choice Organics began the county's review process in May. The owners proposed growing medical marijuana and operating a dispensary out of a warehouse on Smithfield Street near the interchange of Mulberry Street and Interstate 25.
The proposal passed all of the criteria set by the county earlier this year, including location. The business would be in a commercial area far from schools, children related-businesses and residential neighborhoods. There has been no opposition to the proposal.
The county planning commission recommended approval of the business to the county commissioners. The commissioners were expected to hold a public hearing on the proposal from Choice Organics and another marijuana business when the process was derailed.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan | Fort Collins news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Fort Collins, Colorado
Author: KEVIN DUGGAN
Contact: coloradoan.com | Fort Collins Contact Us | The Coloradoan
Copyright: 2010 coloradoan.com
Website:Medical marijuana business awaits county decision | coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan
Toss in the fact that the product of the business - in this case, marijuana - is illegal under federal law but permitted for medicinal use under Colorado law, and it's really a tough row to hoe.
That's the situation Choice Organics, a fledgling medical marijuana business, is in as it tries to set up shop in a commercial district just outside Fort Collins city limits.
Choice Organics' owners - Seth and Sally Gustin and Brian and Erica Freeman - are awaiting a decision by the Larimer County commissioners to learn whether they may continue in their attempt to receive approval to operate.
Last month, the commissioners said they intend to ban medical marijuana businesses in unincorporated parts of the county. But they did not say what would happen to businesses that are already going through the county's development review process.
That decision could come Tuesday, when the commissioners are scheduled to have a closed-door executive session to receive legal advice on the matter from the county attorney.
"This has been so frustrating," Erica Freeman said. "We've done everything they wanted us to do. Now we just want a chance to see it through and finish what we started."
Choice Organics began the county's review process in May. The owners proposed growing medical marijuana and operating a dispensary out of a warehouse on Smithfield Street near the interchange of Mulberry Street and Interstate 25.
The proposal passed all of the criteria set by the county earlier this year, including location. The business would be in a commercial area far from schools, children related-businesses and residential neighborhoods. There has been no opposition to the proposal.
The county planning commission recommended approval of the business to the county commissioners. The commissioners were expected to hold a public hearing on the proposal from Choice Organics and another marijuana business when the process was derailed.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan | Fort Collins news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Fort Collins, Colorado
Author: KEVIN DUGGAN
Contact: coloradoan.com | Fort Collins Contact Us | The Coloradoan
Copyright: 2010 coloradoan.com
Website:Medical marijuana business awaits county decision | coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan
