Pubdate: Wed, 31 Jul 2013
Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO)
Copyright: 2013 Colorado Springs Independent
Contact:  http://www.csindy.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536
Author: Bryce Crawford

WHO'S READY TO CASH IN ON RECREATIONAL CANNABIS?

So Few for So Many

Municipal bans on recreational-marijuana stores cover El Paso County 
like a heavy blanket, and for marijuana supporters who don't grow 
their own, it's a suffocating one at that. However, like a rush of 
oxygen, Manitou Springs and Palmer Lake may save the wayward sativa 
seeker from a trip too far.

For the northern town, it's a definite "may." Palmer Lake Wellness 
Center volunteer Susan Herrera says local lawmakers are right now 
convening a task force to study Amendment 64, but it's unknown 
whether a ban, regulation or a follow-up vote of the people will 
come. (The Indy was unable to reach a government representative for comment.)

It's a little clearer in Manitou, where Mayor Marc Snyder calls 
Colorado Springs City Council's decision to ban the stores his 
"worst-case scenario," due to the pressure it puts on his 
municipality. That said, he still posits that the locals' lopsided 
support of the amendment deserves to be recognized with two or three 
such stores. (For more on that, see Between the Lines, here.) Council 
will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 13 to begin the discussion.

Meanwhile, Snyder's worst-case scenario looks pretty damn good for 
the sole medical marijuana dispensary in Manitou. Thanks to a state 
provision giving medical-marijuana center owners preferential 
treatment when applying for an RMJ license, Absolute Manitou 
Wellness' owners can start applying Oct. 1, says Snyder, while "the 
general public can't start applying until January 1."

Our calls to Reza Hassani, who also owns American Wellness Center in 
Colorado Springs, went unreturned, and we were unable to identify his 
other investors. But employee Jason Stier says the center's certainly 
cognizant of its potential head start in sales.

"If Manitou approves recreational, there would be absolutely no 
reason to not switch over to recreational; we've been operating well 
before the deadline to make that switch," says the 23-year-old 
budtender in the center's small, white-walled waiting room. "If 
possible, if we can find a way to divide it correctly ... we will 
probably try to split [and keep offering medical marijuana] as well."

With an estimated 53,000 county residents thought to be likely 
customers, the low-slung, nearly hidden building just inside city 
limits may take on quite a high profile. But first, it'll have to 
figure out the logistics.

The growing space for Absolute and American is currently located in 
Colorado Springs, and can't be converted to growing recreational 
plants because the city, of course, just decided it doesn't want that 
kind of thing. (The medically marked plants can stay.) Manitou also 
currently bans grow facilities, like it does all manufacturing. 
Additionally, an MMJ company can't move its operations out of its 
licensed area just because it wants to; according to statute, it can 
only move in response to a local ban.

"Basically, their Colorado Springs medical-marijuana license - as 
long as retail's banned in Colorado Springs - is not going to help 
them anywhere else in the state," says Marijuana Enforcement Division 
spokeswoman Julie Postlethwait.

Thus, it seems the company will have to apply for a new license in 
one of the few spots that haven't banned RMJ - which, the Denver Post 
reports, 56 communities across the state have already done - and 
hopefully ramp up its plant count quickly enough to meet the demand.

Unless something changes in Manitou, that is. Says Snyder, "That's 
something we'll have to revisit."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom