Pubdate: Wed, 21 Apr 2010
Source: Delta County Independent (CO)
Copyright: 2010 Delta County Independent
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/5y9TXXEE
Website: http://www.deltacountyindependent.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5139
Author: Hank Lohmeyer
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Dispensaries
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

ORCHARD CITY LOOKS TO EXTEND MARIJUANA DISPENSARY MORATORIUM

Following the lead of county government and other  municipalities, 
the Town of Orchard City plans to  extend its moratorium on medical 
marijuana dispensaries  for another 180 days.

The town adopted its first moratorium last Nov. 18.

Last week on Wednesday, April 14, the trustees heard  first reading 
of an ordinance that will extend the  current 180-day moratorium.

Town trustees will vote on the measure at second  reading during 
their May 12 meeting. There will also be  a public hearing on the 
proposed ordinance.

"As you are all aware," said Mayor Don Suppes,  introducing the 
topic, "we are waiting for the state to  make some decisions 
(concerning dispensary regulation)  that we can actually follow 
through with. This proposed  ordinance is just to extend the 
ordinance we passed in  November."

Trustee Gale Doudy asked, "How many times can we extend this?"

Suppes replied, "We are allowed to extend this now  until the 
(state's) legislation is passed. Beyond that  point we would be hard 
pressed to extend the local  moratorium again."

The town government felt outmaneuvered a month ago  when, after 
adopting its first moratorium against  establishment of new 
dispensaries, an existing  marijuana dispensary in the town, Grand 
Mesa Herbal  Dispensary, moved and expanded its operation from a 
sequestered site on Fruitgrowers road to a highly  visible location 
on Highway 65. The town's moratorium  had not included any 
prohibition against existing  marijuana dispensaries expanding their 
operations.

Though Orchard City and other jurisdictions are waiting  for guidance 
from the state on regulation of the  dispensaries, the town could be 
disappointed with any  legislative result. Statehouse politicians are 
being  pressured with high-dollar lobbying efforts by pro-pot 
interests from out of state that have lots of money to  spend on the 
goal of legalized marijuana.

Local law enforcement officials are not hopeful that  any legislative 
result coming from Denver this year  will even effectively address 
the many and widespread  abuses of Colorado's current medical marijuana system.

Those abuses include the following:

- - Easy approval for access to marijuana "cards" which  grant legal possession;

- - Widespread forging of medical marijuana cards;

- - Abuse of the state law's intent that dispensaries  serve as true 
"caregivers" for clients and not just as  marijuana distribution outlets;

- - And, patients skirting the law's intent by using  multiple 
dispensary outlets to buy large quantities of  marijuana, far more 
than required for medical purposes.

Nevertheless, town officials remain hopeful that the  state 
legislature will finally adopt some form of  regulation on marijuana 
dispensaries.

Town government regulation of the dispensaries would be  a first in 
the area of Orchard City regulation of local  business.

There are currently five legally operating medical  marijuana 
dispensaries in Delta County, according to  the sheriff's department. 
In addition to the one in  Eckert, there is one each in Delta and 
Crawford, and  two in Paonia. Another one may open in Delta, also.

Orchard City's proposed moratorium extension ordinance  would become 
effective immediately upon adoption by the  town board.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom