Pubdate: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 Source: Daily Camera (Boulder, CO) Copyright: 2010 The Daily Camera. Contact: http://www.dailycamera.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/103 Author: Adam Odoski Note: Adam Odoski lives in Boulder and is the owner of the Village Green Society. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) DON'T KILL THE GREEN GOOSE The Boulder City Council is currently embarking on an endeavor to create rules for medical marijuana dispensaries. In creating these regulations, let us not kill the green goose that is laying the golden egg of good jobs and increased revenue for the city. As the owner of the Village Green Society, and a member of a larger coalition of dispensaries, we support sensible regulations that will provide a foundation for the industry and the city. The Medical Marijuana Industry has already had a very positive economic and social impact on the city of Boulder and we encourage the city to strongly consider the revenue and jobs that the impact of the regulations would have. From real estate, to newspaper advertisements, to increasing sales tax receipts, we are contributing to the economic vitality of Boulder. In fact, any analysis by the city should include the total sum figure Boulder has received in tax receipts in 2009 from the industry, which is likely no small figure. We are proud to be one of the very first dispensaries to join the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. As the city searches far and wide for revenue, we hope that this economic activity would not be adversely impacted. However, there are a number of provisions in the proposed regulations that are unnecessary and burdensome. The city is proposing an initial application fee $2,000 and an annual license fee of $3,000 for each business license held by a medical marijuana business. The fee is excessive and is not based on any specific increased activities by city staff, which was noted in a recent planning meeting. It should also be noted that each medical marijuana business pays monthly sales tax further helping to contribute the city's annual operating budget. By implementing a $5,000 fee for a license, many medical marijuana businesses will not have the capital accessible to pay the fee and will subsequently be forced to close. Competition is high and the margins are very small in this business because we are limited to those who have medical marijuana cards and the pool of patients is limited. The draft provision for management plans, including but not limited to, a statement of operational characteristics, dimensioned floor plans and security plans far outreaches regulation needs. Dispensary operators are well aware of the management and operations necessary to run a good clinic, if not, the market will force them to close. Many dispensaries have already taken precautionary security measures, but 24-hour surveillance for every dispensary is very costly and not necessary. In addition to the above plans the city also proposes requiring medical marijuana businesses to fulfill responsibilities as a good neighbor including outreach and dispute resolution Further clarification is needed on this topic and what outreach means. The Village Green Society is committed to conducting ourselves as a model business and long-term member of the Boulder community. I believe that together we can design a regulatory process that both the City of Boulder and dispensary owners alike feel is fair and just. But in this process, the city should be careful and not kill this goose just because it is green. Adam Odoski lives in Boulder and is the owner of the Village Green Society. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D