Pubdate: Thu, 22 Oct 2009
Source: Summit Daily News (CO)
Copyright: 2009 Summit Daily News
Contact: http://apps.summitdaily.com/forms/letter/index.php
Website: http://www.summitdaily.com/home.php
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/587
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Authors:  Caitlin Row

DILLON CLOSE TO APPROVING MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATIONS

Vail Votes Down Possible Dispensary Regulations In Favor Of Waiting
For More Information

DILLON - Dillon is likely one month away from approving its own set of
medical marijuana dispensary regulations, on the heels of its
neighbors - Frisco and Breckenridge. Silverthorne is still in the
process of approving its own regulations.

"I'd like to move forward on it," said Mayor Barbara Davis, who agreed
with town manager Devin Granbery at Tuesday's work session that it's
time to get in front of the issue and put rules in place before a
dispensary comes to town.

Other town council members agreed, but there was also concern about
the vague nature of medical marijuana regulations in general -
"There's just so much unknown," said councilwoman Mary Forsythe.

A first official approval of the ordinance will likely occur on Nov.
3. A final approval and a public hearing for Dillon's medical
marijuana dispensary regulations could then happen on Nov. 17. Since
the moratorium on dispensaries expires on Nov. 18, the town will need
to extend the moratorium to avoid any loopholes.

Dillon's proposed ordinance will include limits on location (not near
residential areas), operation standards (constraints on when it can be
open) and signs (no marijuana plant symbols will be allowed). Council
members also agreed dispensaries shouldn't be allowed to open with in
500 feet of an existing dispensary. On-site consumption of marijuana
products won't be permitted, and the businesses in questions won't be
able to open in the town core. Criminal background checks will be
required of potential owners and store managers, not every single employee.

Other concerns included product quality and possession regulations, as
well as an overall confusion about how and the state will eventually
monitor and control the situation.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D