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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom