Pubdate: Sat, 24 Jan 2015
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Megan Mitchell, YourHub

1,608 APPLY FOR 10 POT LICENSES IN ADAMS COUNTY

Adams County received 1,608 applications in less than three weeks 
from people interested in opening one of 10 marijuana businesses in 
unincorporated areas.

Applications were accepted Jan. 2 - Jan. 22, during which time the 
county took the names and contact numbers of all people looking to 
open a recreational marijuana store, grow house, testing facility or 
infused product manufacturing facility.

At the 4 p. m. deadline, people were still lined up waiting to drop 
applications.

The names of those allowed to apply will be selected during a lottery 
drawing at 3 p. m. Tuesday at the Adams County Government Center in Brighton.

The drawing will stream live on the county's YouTube channel.

"We're very excited to host a lot drawing on Tuesday and also very 
excited to start the application process to help these 10 new 
businesses start in Adams County," said Abel Montoya, director of the 
county's planning department.

Only 10 operations will be allowed to open this year to give the 
staff time to test its regulations - three retail stores, three grow 
facilities, three infused product manufacturing facilities and one 
testing facility. There were 852 applicants for stores, 548 for 
grows, 176 for manufacturing and 32 for testing, the county said. 
Medical marijuana is still not allowed in unincorporated Adams County.

"I believe the process has been very successful," Montoya said. "The 
county created very clear rules and procedures for the marijuana lot 
drawing. We had dedicated staff who handle the process very well and 
helped to minimize wait time."

The 10 selected applicants have six months after the drawing to get a 
state license, building permit and change-of-use permit for their business.

If a lottery winner doesn't have all of that within six months, the 
county will call the next name that was pulled from the lottery, and 
that person would begin the process.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom