Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jul 2011 Source: Fort Collins Coloradoan (CO) Copyright: 2011 The Fort Collins Coloradoan Contact: http://www.coloradoan.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.coloradoan.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1580 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?277 (Cannabis - Medicinal - Colorado) DISPUTE ALLOWS CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT FORT COLLINS MARIJUANA ISSUE Residents Are Urged to Become More Informed Two groups of residents are working hard to convince local voters that their views on medical marijuana should prevail in Fort Collins. One group, Concerned Fort Collins Citizens, is gathering signatures on a petition through July 17 in hopes of placing an issue on the ballot this fall that seeks to ban medical marijuana dispensaries here in Fort Collins. Its opposition, Citizens for Safer Neighborhoods, is working to defeat the issue by explaining the merits of medical marijuana dispensaries. The Coloradoan editorial board will not take a stand on this issue until or unless the signature-gathering process leads to a city ballot initiative. Still, this is an opportune time to remind all residents to become better informed on the issues surrounding medical marijuana. A pro/con piece appears on this page to give readers insight into the varying points of view. Since 2000, when Colorado voters approved the use of medical marijuana in a state amendment to the Constitution that included little regulatory guidance, the issue has become more complicated than many likely ever imagined. A conflict persists between the federal government, which has sent mixed messages about its role in prosecuting marijuana possession as illegal, and state governments that have approved the use of medical marijuana. State Legislatures, including Colorado's, have tried to define possession, growth and distribution of medical marijuana. Cities have taken up the issue via zoning regulations. Here in Fort Collins, the issue has now reached a more individual level via the petition effort. This provides an opportunity for residents to become more informed about medical marijuana and its relationship to Fort Collins. Seize the chance to learn more about this issue - it's a topic that isn't likely to disappear soon. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom