Pubdate: Wed, 17 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

CITY COUNCIL KILLS POT VOTE, RMJ TOPS MMJ FOR FIRST TIME AND MORE

Council nixes pot vote

Last week, Colorado Springs City Council voted 6 to 3 to kill an 
ordinance that would have allowed locals to vote in April on whether 
the city should accept recreational-marijuana stores. The idea was 
brought months ago by local advocacy group Every Vote Counts, but 
Councilor Jill Gaebler was left as the sole proponent after group 
members did not appear at subsequent meetings, including last 
Tuesday's, when Gaebler joined Councilors Jan Martin and Helen 
Collins as the only votes in favor of referral.

Gaebler's position has always been one of local control. She reasoned 
that with marijuana for sale mere miles away in Manitou Springs, its 
presence is a foregone conclusion, so the city might as well regulate 
it. Though several councilors had re-stated their initial opposition 
in previous meetings - including protestations that the discussion 
was moving too fast; cannabis is a Schedule I substance; and the 
now-debunked theory it would hurt developments at Fort Carson - 
Council president Keith King was the only lawmaker to explain his vote against.

"I called [the Colorado Municipal League] and did a lot of issues to 
try and see whether or not these questions can be coupled or not," 
King said, referring to his desire to see the success of the pot 
question attached to the success of an adjoining tax question. "I 
think they can be coupled and I think we have evidence ... [but] I 
have no guarantee that it's going to go forward, so I will not be 
supporting this."

EVC leader Mark Slaugh says the group will meet this week to discuss 
its next move.

Rec-weed grows up

Tax numbers released by the state of Colorado last week show that 
sales of recreational marijuana have eclipsed those of medical 
marijuana for the first time. It's a milestone for the fledgling 
industry, especially in light of an MMJ-patient count that's growing 
due to residents seeking lower prices. Plus, as the Associated Press 
notes, Colorado has more than 500 MMJ centers, as opposed to 200 RMJ 
stores, though tourists are allowed to buy up to a quarter-ounce from 
the latter.

To the numbers: Reflecting sales reported in July, the state saw 
$29.7 million in RMJ sales, with $12 million alone coming in Denver 
County, versus $28.9 million in MMJ sales. Together, the two 
generated some $6 million in state sales tax.

Show 'em

In its Sept. 14 editorial opposing Washington, D.C.'s marijuana 
initiative, The Washington Post said Coloradans should remain the 
guinea pigs: "With marijuana already decriminalized, there's no 
reason for the District to rush the next step; why not at least give 
Colorado a bit more time to provide lessons?"
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom