Pubdate: Mon, 02 Nov 2015
Source: Pueblo Chieftain (CO)
Copyright: 2015 The Pueblo Chieftain
Contact:  http://www.chieftain.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1613
Author: Peter Roper

PUEBLO'S FIRST MEDICAL POT STORE OPEN

Five years and three months after City Council approved licensing 
rules for medical marijuana stores in Pueblo, the first of those 
businesses hung out its "Open" for business sign this month.

"We were going to open a store in the county when we realized we 
could have a medical marijuana store in Pueblo if we could find a 
location," said Monique Duran, co-owner and manager of 
Seven-One-Nine, a medical pot store at 2729 Farabaugh Lane.

When council approved a zoning map for medical marijuana stores, it 
was very limiting in where they could be located. Duran had her state 
license for nearly two years before finally getting through the city 
licensing process.

"We hope that Pueblo residents with (medical marijuana) cards will 
find it more convenient to shop here in town than driving out in the 
county," she said.

So why would anyone shop at a medical marijuana store when there are 
recreational pot stores in the county?

"Price, for one," Duran said. Medical marijuana is considerably 
cheaper as a rule than recreational pot, she said.

Of course, it takes a doctor certification to get a marijuana card. 
Anyone with a card can shop at Seven-One-Nine or sign up and let the 
store grow pot for them.

"We can help people who need information about any of that," Duran said.

At the moment, Duran doesn't have to worry about competition in the 
city from recreational pot stores. Council decided last summer to let 
city voters make that decision in November 2016.

Seven-One-Nine is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For information, call 719-299-4694.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom