Pubdate: Wed, 22 Feb 2012
Source: Durango Herald, The (CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Durango Herald
Contact: http://durangoherald.com/write_the_editor/
Website: http://durangoherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/866
Author: Jim Haug

AUTHORITIES LIT UP OVER SOME MEDICAL-MARIJUANA SHOPS

City says one place violating codes; feds say one store too close to
Animas High School

Law enforcement is cracking down on local medical-marijuana shops with
Animas Herbal Wellness Center facing possible suspension and Rocky
Mountain High under pressure from the U.S. Attorney's Office to either
shut down or find a new location.

Durango Code Enforcement Officer Steve Barkley on Tuesday recommended
Animas Herbal Wellness Center, 1111 Camino del Rio, for a suspension
of its business license because of multiple violations involving the
failure of employees to wear badges and failure to secure surveillance
equipment.

During the monthly meeting of the Local Licensing Authority, Barkley
said the business failed to show corrections during follow-up
inspections over the last year.

City Attorney David Smith recommended that the licensing authority
schedule a "show cause hearing" for its next regular meeting March 20
to give the Animas Herbal Wellness Center an opportunity to defend
itself from the accusations.

"Rasta Stevie" Smith, the store manager and a former city councilor in
Telluride, declined to comment after the meeting.

Rocky Mountain High, 129 E. 32nd St., has been asked by the U.S.
Attorney John Walsh to stop distributing marijuana by Monday because
of its location within a 1,000 feet of Animas High School.

The dispensary is considering relocating downtown to 640 Main Avenue
between College Drive and Seventh Street.

Representatives for Rocky Mountain High asked the licensing authority
for help in expediting the move but the board could not act because
the dispensary did not have a lease agreement for the new location.

Store officials would like to open in the new location before March
20, the next regular meeting of the licensing authority, which
regulates the sale of liquor and medical marijuana.

Jordan Smith, a store representative, said Rocky Mountain High is a
caregiver with 300 regular customers.

Rocky Mountain High is among the more than 20 medical marijuana
dispensaries statewide asked to move or shut down because of proximity
to schools, but it is the only one affected in Durango, said David
Smith, city attorney.

During the hearing Tuesday, he asked Rocky Mountain High to change its
name to something more subtle.

"I think you can understand the problem," Smith said. The city does
not want shops "up and down Main Avenue" advertising the sale of marijuana.

Alex Ellis, Rocky Mountain High representative, said they would take
the name change under advisement.

"We don't want to be too in your face," Ellis said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt