Pubdate: Thu, 31 Oct 2013
Source: Westword (Denver, CO)
Column: Ask A Stoner
Copyright: 2013 Village Voice Media
Contact: http://www.westword.com/feedback/EmailAnEmployee?department=letters
Website: http://www.westword.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1616
Author: William Breathes

WHERE'S ALL THE RECREATIONAL POT COMING FROM?

Dear Stoner: Where is all the marijuana for the recreational industry 
coming from?

Stockpiling in Stapleton

Dear SS: The rules haven't been finalized yet, but what we do know is 
that the medical stores transitioning over to recreational stores 
will be able to designate half of their existing medical marijuana 
inventory (plants and buds) to their retail inventory. Most medical 
marijuana centers currently are licensed to grow up to about 3,000 
plants, assuming six plants for every patient. They can only do that 
once, though. After that, they've got to be self-sustaining or 
purchase from other stores until September 2014, when the statewide 
moratorium on independent cultivation facilities expires. For some 
shops, that's not going to be a problem - as they've not so 
discreetly expanded to massive greenhouses this past spring.

As for how much retail centers and cultivation facilities will 
eventually be able to grow and where their product will come from to 
start, that hasn't been decided yet. The state's Marijuana 
Enforcement Division is taking public testimony on that until 
November 13. Want to give the MED your two cents? E-mail Dear Stoner: Will pot shops still open if the tax measures don't pass?

Eleanor Beaver Dartmouth

Dear EBD: According to the Marijuana Enforcement Division, the 
proposed 15 percent excise and 10 percent sales taxes don't have to 
pass this November in order for the industry to move forward - for 
now. Julie Postlethwait, spokeswoman for the Marijuana Enforcement 
Division, tells us that the department has the resources to continue 
with licensing and regulation if the tax measure doesn't pass, using 
licensing fees and borrowing from the state general fund if 
necessary. But without any concrete numbers on what the market for 
retail cannabis is going to be, she adds, it's hard to determine 
whether those fees would be enough to manage the entire industry.

We think they should be. Opening a new liquor store in Colorado would 
cost about $2,275 in application and licensing fees with the state. 
After that, you've got to pay $250 (about the cost of four kegs of 
cheap beer) to renew each year. Opening a recreational marijuana 
store requires $5,000 to the state for applications alone. Then 
you've got your license fee on top of that, ranging from $3,750 to 
$14,000. Annually.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom