Pubdate: Mon, 28 Dec 2009
Source: Pueblo Chieftain (CO)
Copyright: 2009 The Pueblo Chieftain
Contact: http://www.chieftain.com/forms/letters/
Website: http://www.chieftain.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1613
Author: Nick Bonham
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - United States)

MEDICAL POT MORATORIUM BEFORE COUNCIL

A businessman who wants to open a dispensary thinks it will be extended.

Public discussion about possibly extending the moratorium on medical 
marijuana dispensaries will be front and center tonight at City Council.

And Tom Sexton, who has been up front with city leaders about opening 
Pueblo's first dispensary, said he's disheartened by his belief 
there's a good chance an extension will be approved.

On Nov. 2, council members voted unanimously to begin a 90-day 
moratorium on licensing dispensaries. About 60 days have passed since 
that meeting.

"I don't understand this urgency to pass this second moratorium when 
you have another six weeks from now to create (city) policies (on 
dispensaries). It's a little suspicious," Sexton said in a phone 
interview Sunday.

"Maybe there's some notoriety in rushing this thing through now 
before (newly elected council members take office). Pueblo politics 
seems to work backward. But, we'll see. I don't think we'll be quite 
as vocal in supporting the second moratorium." Sexton is trying to 
open a MediMar Ministry dispensary and wellness center at 112 Colorado Ave.

He and his staff have had open discussions with city leaders and law 
enforcement officials about the services he wants to offer and about 
establishing a reputable business.

Sexton said there is a need for a dispensary in Pueblo and the 
moratorium has been an inconvenience to patients, his employees and a 
business he's invested in.

"It's never been our intent to be a big business.

It was to get (clients) out of our living room and into a safe 
business," Sexton said. "Given the inconvenience, we're still 
committed to our patients, but we're operating like the city wants us 
to do, which is in the shadows."

The medical marijuana issue is one Colorado cities are struggling 
with zoning and ordinance regulations. Some have made ordinances and 
are collecting sales tax money, like Colorado Springs, which has 14 
dispensaries.

The idea behind the moratorium extension in Pueblo is to wait for the 
state General Assembly to convene and take action on the matter. The 
federal government already has said it will not prosecute cases 
involving medical marijuana patients or caregivers in states where its allowed.

Colorado is one of 14 states that allows medical marijuana.

Sexton's lawyer, Jim Oliver, argues the matter is a local issue.

"The city of Denver and Colorado Springs are taking this on and are 
drafting regulations," Oliver said.

"I don't think what the state's going to do is going to help the city 
in creating its own regulations," added Sexton.

The public hearing starts at 5:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake