Pubdate: Fri, 28 May 2010
Source: Daily Times-Call, The (Longmont, CO)
Copyright: 2010, The Daily Times-Call
Contact:  http://www.timescall.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1475

MORATORIUM CONTINUES TO MAKE SENSE

The new state law regulating the medical marijuana  industry still
doesn't answer all the questions the  city of Longmont needs answered
to formulate its own  rules governing dispensaries in town.

Sure, the law spells out a laundry list of restrictions  and
regulations, but it doesn't fully take effect until  July 1, 2011. And
the Department of Revenue still has  to come up with a process for
state licensing  procedures and requirements.

So it was no surprise that the Longmont City Council on  Tuesday voted
unanimously to extend the city's  moratorium on medical marijuana
dispensaries. That  sounds like a reasonable course.

We see no reason for the city to come up with  regulations, only to
have to change them a few weeks or  months later.

City staff can continue to work on local regulations,  and the City
Council can continue to discuss those  proposals.

When 2008 came to an end, Longmont had no medical  marijuana
dispensaries. By Oct. 2, when the city's  first moratorium went into
effect, retroactively, the  city had at least eight open or in the
process of  opening. Is that too many? Not enough? The market  likely
will provide the answers to those questions.

When the city finally brings its proposed regulations  to the table,
it should at least have the answers to  questions the state law has
raised. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D