Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jun 2010
Source: Craig Daily Press, The (CO)
Copyright: 2010 The Craig Daily Press
Contact: http://www.craigdailypress.com/site/feedback
Website: http://www.craigdailypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2334
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Dispensaries

TIME FOR A DECISION

It's said that marijuana causes slow reaction times.

Given the Moffat County Commission's recent bout of  inaction, the 
same must apply to governing bodies  attempting to decide rules 
regulating medical marijuana  dispensaries.

During a special meeting June 11, the three-member  commission again 
extended its moratorium on medical  marijuana dispensaries. The 
moratorium prohibits  dispensaries from opening in unincorporated 
parts of  the county for six months.

The county originally approved its moratorium in  December 2009. It's 
been six months from then to now,  and our county is no closer to 
resolving the question  on dispensaries.

It should be noted that state voters have already done  most of the 
work for Moffat County and other  jurisdictions by approving medical marijuana.

The commission's stated reason for extending the  moratorium is that 
it needs time to form a county  policy that conforms with Colorado 
House Bill 10-1284,  a regulatory bill signed into law June 1 that 
addresses  several issues surrounding the medical marijuana  industry 
in Colorado.

There may be some logic in that decision, but it seems  to the 
Editorial Board that the commission has had  plenty of time to review 
the bill and implement  measures that agree with the will of state 
voters, who  have already stated their preference concerning the  industry.

And, the commission floating the idea of perhaps  putting medical 
marijuana issues before voters in  November is also misguided.

November's election, not to mention August's primary,  is a 
critically important election for our state, and  particularly for 
Moffat County.

Those elected will shape our immediate future, a  daunting task in 
today's difficult economy.

Voters have voiced their opinions on medical marijuana.  They don't 
need to be saddled with an additional burden  on Election Day, and no 
one needs the added expense.

It's time the commission embraces the responsibility  the public has 
given it and makes a decision on this  issue.

Passing another moratorium, or passing the buck onto  voters, makes 
no sense and shows indecision.

State regulations change. Moffat County can change as  those regulations do.

Until then, the commission needs to embrace its role  and make the 
best decision it can instead of sitting on  the sidelines for another 
six months.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom