Pubdate: Wed, 16 Jun 2010 Source: Aurora Sentinel (CO) Copyright: 2010 Aurora Sentinel Contact: http://www.aurorasentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1672 Author: Sara Castellanos ARAPAHOE COUNTY EXTENDS POT SHOP MORATORIUM AURORA - Arapahoe County's Board of Commissioners extended the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Tuesday, opting to wait until the state develops rules for the dispensary licensing process. The commissioners have extended the moratorium until the State Licensing Authority develops rules and rolls out the necessary paperwork for the medical marijuana licensing process.The extension will also give the commissioners the necessary time to research, propose, and adopt land-use and licensing regulations. "It's important for Arapahoe County to wait for the licensing rules and regulations that will be developed by the Department of Revenue before we move forward," said Commissioner Rod Bockenfeld, who serves as board chairman. "It's also important to determine how our surrounding communities are responding to this issue. The moratorium simply gives us the time necessary to get all the facts in before we make our decision." The Colorado Legislature passed a bill this year aimed at regulating medical marijuana dispensaries. Under the bill, moratoriums can be extended until July 2011. The moratorium has been in place since December 2009 and prohibits the opening of medical marijuana dispensaries within the county. It was originally supposed to last only a few weeks, but Arapahoe County have continuously extended it to study the potential adverse affects of grow operations and dispensaries within the county, said Andrea Rasizer, communications director for Arapahoe County. Interest in establishing medical marijuana dispensaries within the county continues to rise. County officials have received more than 100 inquiries from people wanting to establish medical marijuana dispensaries or grow operations since the moratorium was established, Rasizer said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D