Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jul 2010 Source: Tribune, The (Greeley, CO) Copyright: 2010 The Greeley Publishing Co. Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/2T4s2YlD Website: http://www.greeleytribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3165 Note: Note: typically publishes LTEs from circulation area only Author: Bill Jackson COMMISSIONERS STRIKE DOWN ANY NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN UNINCORPORATED WELD Weld County commissioners slammed the door Monday on any new medical marijuana growing or dispensing in unincorporated areas of the county. The commissioners, with a 5-0 vote, approved on final reading an ordinance that prohibits the cultivation, manufacture, distribution or sale of medical marijuana or medical marijuana-infused products. The exception is those primary caregivers or patients who were licensed by the state prior to June 1 of this year. The commissioners said that while the Colorado Legislature approved regulations on medical marijuana during the last session, it remains a federal violation. "Until the state gets in line with the federal government or the federal government gets in line with the state, there's not much we can do," Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer said in voting to pass the ordinance. But the commissioners also recognized that legislators will address the issue next year and the ordinance could be revised at that point. All of them also recognized that there are current illegal growing operations throughout the county that have drawn the attention of county, state and federal law enforcement agencies when they are notified and have caused "serious problems," said Commissioner Dave Long. "My biggest concern is that (marijuana production) is still against federal law," Chairman Doug Rademacher said. In other action Monday: Commissioners presented recognition of services documents to members of the Weld County Rural Task Force, which worked for about a year developing amendments to certain county codes that pertain to rural areas of the county. Those on the task force included Ted Carlson, Les Hardesty, Tom Haren, Jerry Hergenreder, Tom Holton, Mark Pelzel, Lynda Pruett, Lar Voss and Fred Walker. Commissioners also voted unanimously to take legal action against James Wrenfrow for violation of the county code. Wrenfrow operates a trash collection business in southwest Weld and has dumped up to six loads of compacted trash on his own land rather than taking it to a landfill in the area, according to county health department officials. Wrenfrow could not attend Monday's meeting, said Troy Swain of the health department, as he had contracted another company to make his trash pickup rounds Monday and was helping with him. Wrenfrow also told Swain that all his trucks were inoperable and the county could take any action they wanted. Commissioners voted to give Wrenfrow 24 hours to take care of the situation, then at that time either the county public works department or a private business would move into the area and clean it. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt