Pubdate: Fri, 21 Aug 2009
Source: Aspen Times (CO)
Copyright: 2009 Aspen Times
Contact:  http://www.aspentimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3784
Author: Carolyn Sackariason
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries

MEDICAL MARIJUANA MARKET BUDDING IN ASPEN, ELSEWHERE

ASPEN -- It's likely that within weeks there will be  more than one 
medical marijuana dispensary in Aspen, as  interest continues to 
build from local groups hoping to  tap an untouched market.

Aspen attorney Lauren Maytin, who serves on the board  of directors 
of the Colorado branch of National  Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws (NORML),  and has been working on the issue for a 
decade, said  she has met with several clients looking to open 
dispensaries on the Western Slope, including Aspen.

Another group will likely beat them to the punch of  being Aspen's 
first pot dispensary -- Aspen L.E.A.F..  (Locals Emporium of 
Alternative Farms), owned by  longtime locals. They are finalizing a 
lease for space  downtown and are scheduled to be open within days.

Maytin said her clients are ensuring they comply with  all Colorado laws.

"They are taking their time to make sure they're doing  it right," she said.

Aspen Community Development Director Chris Bendon said  medical 
marijuana dispensaries are an allowed use in  nearly every zone 
district downtown because they fall  under "pharmacy."

"Pharmacy is anywhere you can have an office, which is  virtually 
everywhere," Bendon said.

Limited retail is allowed in dispensaries because it's  incidental to 
the sale and use of marijuana products.

Bendon used the example of Rodney's Pharmacy, which  sells medication 
and crutches for patients who are  injured.

While dispensaries are allowed in Aspen, other  municipalities have 
placed moratoriums on them.

The Basalt Town Council recently approved a 90-day  moratorium on new 
pot dispensaries to buy time for its  planning staff to work on 
regulations governing such  facilities.

Moratoriums also are in effect in Breckenridge, Frisco,  Minturn and 
Eagle, Maytin said. In the meantime, many  of her clients are 
preparing their business plans.

"I'm busy with the I-70 corridor and most of them are  waiting for 
the moratoriums to be lifted," she said.

Maytin spent Thursday morning with clients. One plans  to open a 
dispensary in Breckenridge; another wants to  set up shop in Glenwood Springs.

Under Colorado's medical marijuana law, approved by  voters as 
Amendment 20 in 2000, patients with certain  conditions, including 
HIV, muscle spasms and chronic  pain, can use medical marijuana as 
long as they get a  doctor's approval and register with the state.

The law permits patients or their designated caregivers  to grow up 
to six marijuana plants or possess two  ounces of usable marijuana.

Aspen L.E.A.F. will offer several strains of the plant,  which is 
Colorado-grown, and will be available in  edible and vaporized form 
for those qualified to buy  cannabis. Starter plants with lighting 
equipment will  be sold, as will kief and hashish.

If they open before Maytin's other clients, Aspen  L.E.A.F.. will be 
the first marijuana shop in Aspen and  the third in the Roaring Fork Valley.

The WIN Health Institute, an alternative health care  cooperative 
located in Basalt, opened a dispensary this  month, and Colorado 
Mountain Dispensary (C.M.D.) opened  for business in Carbondale in early July.

Aspen L.E.A.F.., under the parent company, Colorado  Medical 
Marijuana Supply Inc., filed a business license  application with the 
city of Aspen last week. Bendon's  department acted as the referral 
agency before the  license could be granted. Bendon finalized his 
interpretation of the code Wednesday, which determined  it's an 
allowed use. The license is pending.

Anyone has 15 days to appeal the issuance of a business  license, Bendon noted.

He said some municipalities are regulating dispensaries  that 
stipulate they can't be located within a certain  distance from 
childcare centers, schools, or from each  other.

"That assumes there is a degradation of morality with  dispensaries 
and we don't see it that way," Bendon  said.

Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis and Aspen Police  Chief Richard 
Pryor said they don't see any problems  with a medical marijuana 
dispensary in Aspen.
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