Pubdate: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 Source: Summit Daily News (CO) Copyright: 2010 Summit Daily News Contact: http://apps.summitdaily.com/forms/letter/index.php Website: http://www.summitdaily.com/home.php Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/587 BRECKENRIDGE ADOPTS MORATORIUM ON NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES Breckenridge Town Council on Tuesday unanimously passed an ordinance imposing a nine-month moratorium on the acceptance and processing of applications for new medical marijuana dispensaries and grow operations in Breckenridge. This moratorium does not affect existing dispensaries and is effective immediately. Council members expressed concern about the growing number of dispensaries licensed to operate in Breckenridge. Another concern was that the town would be flooded with new applications before the July 1 deadline from Colorado House Bill 10-1284, which regulates the commercial sale and growing of medical marijuana. This moratorium will allow the town to study the effects of state laws as well as the rapidly growing industry in Colorado, and will allow the town to make any needed changes to the its existing ordinance in light of the new state laws. Council recognizes that this is a unique industry - as possession of marijuana remains a federal offense - and feels it is in the best interest of the community to further study the recently adopted state laws. On Sept. 22, 2009, the council adopted regulations for dispensaries in town limits. There are six dispensaries operating in town, and one pending application submitted before Tuesday. This moratorium does not have an effect on the currently licensed dispensaries or applications submitted before Tuesday. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake