Pubdate: Tue, 23 Nov 2010
Source: Aurora Sentinel (CO)
Copyright: 2010 Aurora Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.aurorasentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1672
Author: Sara Castellanos
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

CITY TO MOVE FORWARD ON POT ISSUES

AURORA | Regulations for medical marijuana home grow operations and 
an ordinance to ban medical marijuana dispensaries within the city 
will be voted on by the Aurora City Council at their next council 
meeting on Dec. 6.

Council members decided to move forward with the medical marijuana 
items at their regularly scheduled study session meeting Monday night.

The regulations regarding home grow operations, which were put forth 
by council's Neighborhood Services Policy Committee, state that 
marijuana plants should be grown within a licensed patient's primary 
residence or a caregiver's primary residence, and they should only be 
used by the patient to alleviate symptoms of a debilitating medical condition.

According to the proposals, grows need to be confined to the 
residence, evidence of a home-grow operation will not be perceptible 
from outside the residence, and grows will be limited to 150 square 
feet of secured space within a single family unit.

"This recommendation seems to be the one that's most able to be 
enforced without being intrusive," said Councilwoman Melissa Miller, 
who was also the chairwoman of the Neighborhood Services Policy 
Committee. "We're trying not to be invasive in accordance with the 
state Constitution."

Amendment 20, passed by Colorado voters in 2000, allows for 
caregivers to have five patients and grow six marijuana plants per patient.

Anyone who violates the ordinance could spend up to one year in 
prison pay up to a $1,000 fine, or both.

Patients or caregivers needing more plants as medically necessary are 
only allowed to grow them in industrial zones.

Council members on Monday evening also moved the ban on medical 
marijuana dispensaries to their regular session. According to 
unofficial results, 42,850 residents voted to approve ballot measure 
2B, while 40,013 voted against it. Council members will take action 
at a Dec. 6 regular council meeting to approve the ordinance that 
will officially prohibit dispensaries within the city, per voters' request.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom