Pubdate: Sat, 23 Feb 2013
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2013 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: John Aguilar

POT-FRIENDLY TEA SHOP SUES OVER LAFAYETTE'S TEMPORARY BAN

A Lafayette tea shop owner has sued the city over an ordinance that 
temporarily bans any recreational marijuana-related businesses in the 
city, including those that provide for or allow "the use of marijuana" on site.

The Front Tea & Art Shop owner Veronica Carpio claims Lafayette's 
moratorium, passed Feb. 5, flouts state law permitting adults 21 and 
older to possess- and consume in private-up to 1 ounce of pot

The suit, filed in Boulder County District Court, also claims the 
city is violating Carpio's property rights by not permitting her to 
assist adults with the consumption of marijuana on her property and 
behind closed doors as guaranteed by Amendment 64.

Carpio and her lawyers are requesting a preliminary injunction to 
stop the city from enforcing the ordinance.

The lawsuit has the potential to set a precedent in the burgeoning 
legal universe of recreational marijuana, where other disputes have 
arisen over how far local governments can go in regulating 
pot-related enterprises, like cannabis clubs.

"We want to settle this matter now-not wait until there are 20 other 
cities that have passed an ordinance like this," Carpio's lawyer 
Tommy West said.

City officials declined to comment.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom