Pubdate: Wed, 10 Sep 2014
Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO)
Column: Cannabiz
Copyright: 2014 Colorado Springs Independent
Contact:  http://www.csindy.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536
Author: Bryce Crawford

TWO RMJ QUESTIONS ON PALMER LAKE BALLOT, BUD ON TV, AND MORE

If two votes are good ...

Though Palmer Lake voters rejected recreational-marijuana stores in 
April, 538 to 481, residents will get another crack at the issue this 
November. Two cracks actually, as two questions will deal with the plant.

The first would allow retail sales, with limitations on the number of 
stores; the inclusion of a "good neighbor" plan; restrictions on 
hours and locations as decided by a committee made up of supporters 
and opponents; a special 6-percent sales tax; and the creation of a 
Palmer Lake emergency account that all related monies would fund.

The second initiative is pretty much the opposite. Backed by Monument 
resident Chris Amenson, who did not return a call seeking comment, it 
asks, "Shall the Town of Palmer Lake prohibit the operation of retail 
marijuana stores until at least November 7, 2017 and thereafter until 
repealed by vote of the electorate?"

Beyond disagreeing with the limiting language, the anti-pot question 
would be another blow to the town, says attorney and resident Karen 
Stuth, who sits on the planning commission and is running the 
pro-cannabis campaign with Mitch Davis. "Our town really, really, 
really needs the money [from marijuana taxes]," she says. "We have 
such a high rate of businesses opening and closing, here in Palmer 
Lake, that our prospects for increasing our revenue using other 
sources are dim to none, unless we would get a Walmart or a Home Depot."

Stuth objects to Amenson's refusal to participate in a public, 9 a.m. 
debate on Sept. 20 at Town Hall (42 Valley Crescent St.), and likes 
RMJ's chance of success; she notes that after the most recent 
election, 300 ballots that were accidentally mailed to a physical 
address instead of the appropriate post-office box were returned to 
City Hall unopened.

Currently, there's one medical-marijuana center in operation: Dino 
Salvatori's Palmer Lake Wellness Center. For reference, 54.6 percent 
of Palmer Lake voters supported Amendment 64 in 2012.

Bud, lights, action

A new reality web series combines Shark Tank with Super Lemon Haze, 
and it wants you to audition. The Marijuana Show seeks "budding 
canna-business entrepreneurs ... with new business ideas, or budding 
companies that are looking for guidance and capital to take them to 
the next level." Auditions will be held between noon and 4 p.m. on 
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, at The Watering Bowl (5411 
Leetsdale Drive, Denver, themarijuanashow.com).

Mixer moved

The Southern Colorado Cannabis Council has changed the date of its 
public mixer at the Warehouse Restaurant and Gallery (25 W. Cimarron 
St., thewarehouserestaurant.com). Instead of Tuesday, Sept. 16, it 
will happen at 7 p.m., Sept. 24. Longmont Rep. Jonathan Singer will speak.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom