Pubdate: Mon, 15 Jul 2013
Source: Littleton Independent (CO)
Copyright: 2013 Our Colorado News, Highlands Ranch, CO. Colorado Community Medi
Contact:  http://www.ourcoloradonews.com/littleton/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5460
Author: Jennifer Smith

RETAIL POT LOOKS PROBABLE

Littleton will be one of just a few south-metro cities to allow 
retail marijuana sales starting Jan. 1 if council keeps heading the 
direction it set out on July 9.

It was a study session, so no official action could be taken. But 
five of the seven councilors agreed in theory that Littleton should 
lift its moratorium on retail sales on Oct. 1, when the state will 
start accepting applications. Mayor Debbie Brinkman, who led the 
city's charge against synthetic marijuana two years ago, and 
Councilor Bruce Beckman, a retired police commander, were opposed.

However, medical marijuana patients younger than 21 might have to 
leave city limits to fill their prescriptions. Council seems to be 
leaning toward letting existing dispensaries operate retail outlets 
inside their current facilities rather than requiring them to have 
separate licenses and distinct entrances. However, state law forbids 
anyone younger than 21 from entering a retail marijuana store.

Littleton's law limits the number of dispensaries to four, and staff 
recommends expanding that to mean no more than four marijuana-related 
businesses. So if all four dispensaries choose to add retail to their 
operations, patients 21 and younger with MMJ cards will have to look elsewhere.

Only Councilor Jim Taylor was opposed, saying he'd prefer separating 
retail and MMJ facilities so 18-year-old patients can continue to 
obtain their medicine legally in the city.

"I've got this feeling they can still medicate somewhere," countered 
Councilor Jerry Valdes.

The owners of CannaMart dispensary, one of four in the city, have 
indicated they will apply for a retail license. The store is moving 
from Arapahoe Road and Broadway to 1080 W. Littleton Blvd., and 
building out the space to conform to all state and local requirements.

"Our plan would be to stay on top of the game," Stan Zislis said in 
March. Zislis said business has grown every year. Since opening in 
2009, they've paid more than $1.2 million in wages and more than 
$107,000 to the city in sales tax.

Overall, city staff recommends changing as little as possible once 
retail sales begin.

"The city has experience dealing with the impacts of having marijuana 
at the current locations," they write in a memo to council. "Adding 
retail to the existing medical marijuana should not remarkably change 
those impacts."

Kristen Schledorn, deputy city attorney, advised council to impose 
regulations on retailers similar to ones already in place for 
dispensaries, including requiring them to gain approval from the 
city's licensing authority.

"It would maximize local control over this," she said.

There was some back-and-forth over things like whether to limit how 
many people can be in a store at once and how securely the product 
should be contained.

"It is good for us to be cautious," said Brinkman. "It is good for us 
to have maybe a higher bar for marijuana."

"These are business people," said Valdes. "They need to make a 
profit. They're not going to let people in the store who are going to 
steal from them." He noted that convenience stores and liquor stores 
often set their own rules to limit shoplifting.

"A six-pack of beer has a completely different effect on somebody 
than two ounces of pot," said Brinkman. "I'm not a doctor, but I 
think I can safely say that."

Whatever regulations council ultimately approves will face a public 
hearing before the final vote, not yet scheduled. But on July 30, 
council will hear on first reading an ordinance to send a 
marijuana-tax question to the voters.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom