Members of the Paonia Town Council have recently been hearing from citizens who want to ban all commercial medical marijuana businesses in Paonia. This is a change from the predominantly favorable comments from those who want commercial dispensaries, growing operations and infused products manufacturers within town limits.
Town clerk Barbara Peterson had asked for more written comments from the public which were then distributed to the council members.
Trustee Sid Lewis said the town received a lot of letters from citizens. He estimated about 99 percent of them were opposed to commercial medical marijuana operations. He said that most of those were from uninformed people who did not understand the tax income available through medical marijuana businesses. He also said people don't understand how much is spent in fighting illegal marijuana. People don't realize that medical marijuana has been going on for years.
One male citizen asked, "If you have 90 letters saying 'No,' how many more do you need?"
Lewis responded, "Do these people really realize why they are saying 'No'?"
That comment lead to large vocal response from people in the packed town hall. Several yelled, "We don't want it!"
"Do you actually think people realize what medical marijuana can do for an ill person?" Lewis continued.
Suzanne Watkins, who had gone door-to-door inviting people to the meeting, responded that medical marijuana would still be available to patients. "But I don't want to see it on our main streets," she said. "Everybody wants in on a piece of the action, and it's money. I don't want my community changed." Watkins said they need to look at what has happened in other communities that allowed commercial medical marijuana businesses. "I voted for sick people having medical marijuana," she said. Watkins was referring to the 2000 Colorado amendment which legalized those with chronic pain and diseases such as cancer to have access to medical marijuana. The amendment allowed individual card holders to grow a limited number of plants for their own use or to have a caregiver grow plants for the patient's use. Not included in the amendment was any mention of commercial operations like dispensaries which would have product for many customers. Watson said Paonia could become the "cesspool of the Western Slope" if every kind of commercial medical marijuana operations are allowed.
Trustee Lucien Pevec responded, "The ordinance that we propose now as well as the state statute can preclude centers from being on Grand Avenue."
Brian Taylor, a retired police officer from back east, said if voters approve the dispensaries and other operations "it won't be the town it is now."
Pastor Gaylord Kinser said the people need to vote "Yes" or "No" on the medical marijuana dispensaries and growing operations.
In fact, Paonia voters will have that opportunity on Nov. 2 when the question will be put before them in a mail ballot election.
A woman expressed her opinion that "legal drugs are not curbing the illegal activity."
Cami Bair noted that commercial growing operations in California have added to toxic rivers and harmed watersheds. While there is income to be made from taxes on medical marijuana sales, the tax money will be used for repairs to the water system.
Steve Allen said because of the value of the marijuana, there is the possibility for more crime and violence in Paonia.
Trustee Corinne Ferguson is concerned about the short amount of time the trustees have in writing the ordinance that would go into effect after the election, should voters approve the commercial operations within town limits. Pevec said the trustees could "walk away" from the ordinance at this time. Town attorney Jim Briscoe said the council could enact a moratorium on any new businesses until a later date. At this time, though, the council wants to push through and try to complete the ordinance by Sept. 3, so the up or down vote would be on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Lucien Pevec believes that having marijuana illegal is what makes it valuable. Legal commercial medical marijuana centers will make it less valuable.
Pete Hylton thanked the town staff, mayor and trustees for all the work they were doing on this "hot subject."
Trustee Brian Ayers stated people living on the mesas around Paonia do not want commercial growers or retail sellers there. Residents don't want the added traffic of customers driving through their area.
Mayor Neal Schwieterman then asked the trustees for their schedules. Four out of the six trustees are needed for a quorum. Attorney Briscoe said a special meeting could be scheduled. Pevec will be gone the next three weeks. It was decided to have a work session on Tuesday, July 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. The public was invited.
The public is invited to all work sessions and town council meetings. The meetings are posted at town hall.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Delta County Independent
Author: Kathy Browning
Contact: Delta County Independent
Copyright: 2010Delta County Independent
Website: New voices sounding off in Paonia on marijuana issue
* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
Town clerk Barbara Peterson had asked for more written comments from the public which were then distributed to the council members.
Trustee Sid Lewis said the town received a lot of letters from citizens. He estimated about 99 percent of them were opposed to commercial medical marijuana operations. He said that most of those were from uninformed people who did not understand the tax income available through medical marijuana businesses. He also said people don't understand how much is spent in fighting illegal marijuana. People don't realize that medical marijuana has been going on for years.
One male citizen asked, "If you have 90 letters saying 'No,' how many more do you need?"
Lewis responded, "Do these people really realize why they are saying 'No'?"
That comment lead to large vocal response from people in the packed town hall. Several yelled, "We don't want it!"
"Do you actually think people realize what medical marijuana can do for an ill person?" Lewis continued.
Suzanne Watkins, who had gone door-to-door inviting people to the meeting, responded that medical marijuana would still be available to patients. "But I don't want to see it on our main streets," she said. "Everybody wants in on a piece of the action, and it's money. I don't want my community changed." Watkins said they need to look at what has happened in other communities that allowed commercial medical marijuana businesses. "I voted for sick people having medical marijuana," she said. Watkins was referring to the 2000 Colorado amendment which legalized those with chronic pain and diseases such as cancer to have access to medical marijuana. The amendment allowed individual card holders to grow a limited number of plants for their own use or to have a caregiver grow plants for the patient's use. Not included in the amendment was any mention of commercial operations like dispensaries which would have product for many customers. Watson said Paonia could become the "cesspool of the Western Slope" if every kind of commercial medical marijuana operations are allowed.
Trustee Lucien Pevec responded, "The ordinance that we propose now as well as the state statute can preclude centers from being on Grand Avenue."
Brian Taylor, a retired police officer from back east, said if voters approve the dispensaries and other operations "it won't be the town it is now."
Pastor Gaylord Kinser said the people need to vote "Yes" or "No" on the medical marijuana dispensaries and growing operations.
In fact, Paonia voters will have that opportunity on Nov. 2 when the question will be put before them in a mail ballot election.
A woman expressed her opinion that "legal drugs are not curbing the illegal activity."
Cami Bair noted that commercial growing operations in California have added to toxic rivers and harmed watersheds. While there is income to be made from taxes on medical marijuana sales, the tax money will be used for repairs to the water system.
Steve Allen said because of the value of the marijuana, there is the possibility for more crime and violence in Paonia.
Trustee Corinne Ferguson is concerned about the short amount of time the trustees have in writing the ordinance that would go into effect after the election, should voters approve the commercial operations within town limits. Pevec said the trustees could "walk away" from the ordinance at this time. Town attorney Jim Briscoe said the council could enact a moratorium on any new businesses until a later date. At this time, though, the council wants to push through and try to complete the ordinance by Sept. 3, so the up or down vote would be on the Nov. 2 ballot.
Lucien Pevec believes that having marijuana illegal is what makes it valuable. Legal commercial medical marijuana centers will make it less valuable.
Pete Hylton thanked the town staff, mayor and trustees for all the work they were doing on this "hot subject."
Trustee Brian Ayers stated people living on the mesas around Paonia do not want commercial growers or retail sellers there. Residents don't want the added traffic of customers driving through their area.
Mayor Neal Schwieterman then asked the trustees for their schedules. Four out of the six trustees are needed for a quorum. Attorney Briscoe said a special meeting could be scheduled. Pevec will be gone the next three weeks. It was decided to have a work session on Tuesday, July 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. The public was invited.
The public is invited to all work sessions and town council meetings. The meetings are posted at town hall.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Delta County Independent
Author: Kathy Browning
Contact: Delta County Independent
Copyright: 2010Delta County Independent
Website: New voices sounding off in Paonia on marijuana issue
* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
