Pubdate: Mon, 28 May 2012
Source: Aspen Daily News (CO)
Copyright: 2012 Aspen Daily News
Contact: http://www.aspendailynews.com/submit-letter-editor
Website: http://www.aspendailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/635
Author: Andrew Travers

NEW MARIJUANA REGS WON'T LIKELY CLOSE GROW SITES

If Pitkin County moves forward with banning medical marijuana grow 
operations and dispensaries in certain areas, it doesn't appear it 
will affect the status quo of the legal, local pot industry.

County commissioners are working toward legislation that would, for 
the first time, regulate the pot trade in unincorporated Pitkin County.

The new rules would issue business licenses to medical marijuana 
growers and dispensaries, allowing them to continue operating in the 
county. The state has asked for local rules to be put in place by July 1.

As they move toward passing the licensing regulations, the 
commissioners are aiming simultaneously to ban pot operations in 
certain areas of the county where residents don't want drug operations.

Last year, county officials surveyed neighborhood caucuses about 
whether they want pot growers or sellers operating near them. 
Officials received varied responses.

Now, officials are drawing up maps of the county, broken up by 
neighborhood acceptability for the marijuana trade. As it's playing 
out, it doesn't appear the bans will affect any of the existing six 
legal grow sites in Pitkin County.

The Frying Pan Valley Caucus has asked for no marijuana-related 
business to be licensed there. That includes dispensaries in the town 
of Meredith and grow operations in the greater rural area.

The Snowmass Capital Creek Caucus asked for no grow sites in the area.

"There was a lot of concern about having those sites in Old 
Snowmass," said caucus president Frieda Wallison, citing issues with 
security, crime and lighting.

The Crystal River Caucus, meanwhile, asked for no dispensaries to be 
licensed in the town of Redstone, but didn't object to grow sites. 
Members voted 28-7 last year to ban dispensaries from Redstone 
Boulevard, which is zoned for commercial use.

The Emma Caucus didn't come to a consensus on the issue when surveyed 
by the county. Commissioner George Newman, a member of the Emma 
Caucus, said the group may seek to ban grow sites in the area.

There are currently grow sites within the Emma and Crystal River 
areas, and in other parts of the county not overseen by active 
caucuses. Growers have been required since 2010 by state marijuana 
regulators to notify the local government of their existence.

County attorney John Ely said last week that the county has not 
received inquiries from new growers interested in setting up in 
Pitkin County, as it has been drafting regulations. The county's 
licensing regime, expected to be ratified next month, won't bring new 
pot business to the county and won't chase away existing ones, Ely predicted.

"It doesn't appear this will incentivize a growth spurt in the 
industry locally," he said. "Some equilibrium has been reached."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom