Pubdate: Sat, 09 Mar 2013
Source: Steamboat Today, The (CO)
Copyright: 2013 The Steamboat Pilot & Today
Contact: http://www.steamboattoday.com/submit/letters/
Website: http://www.steamboattoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1549

COUNTY'S POT BAN AT FAIR IS REASONABLE

The Routt County Fair's home arts competition is one of the annual 
highlights of the weeklong summertime celebration of agriculture and 
ranching, always featuring an eclectic mix of homegrown produce, 
homemade baked goods and unique arts and crafts creations from 
residents young and old. And even though the informal potpourri of 
submissions is what makes the fairgounds pavilion come alive during 
fair week, we support the Fair Board's decision, and the Routt County 
Board of Commissioners' backing, to ban marijuana-related entries. In 
that vein, we similarly can't fault the commissioners for moving 
forward with an all-out prohibition of marijuana on all county-owned 
properties and in all county-owned facilities.

It's safe to say few residents considered that November's passage of 
Amendment 64 might encourage certain green thumbs in our community to 
enter their best marijuana plant or pot-laced edible goodies during 
the Routt County Fair. Even Fair Board members acknowledge that the 
possibility of such entries first were brought up in jest during one 
of their recent meetings, before they realized it might not be so 
funny when confronted with a potentially awkward situation come fair week.

More than anything, the issue is a reminder that Amendment 64 and its 
ramifications are wide-ranging and have the potential to reach into 
facets of our professional and personal lives not previously 
considered. And while that's OK, it also makes it easier to 
sympathize with local governments, businesses and organizations 
trying to sort through pot-related issues.

In terms of the Routt County Fair, we can't help but side with the 
Fair Board and the county commissioners in that the fair is as much a 
celebration of youths and their hard work during the preceding year 
than anything else. We worry about the message it would send to kids 
if blue ribbons were being placed on marijuana plants and products. 
While there has been no indication that the home arts competition 
suddenly would be flooded with pot-inspired entries, one certainly 
can't fault fair organizers for being proactive.

More difficult decisions await entities like the Steamboat Springs 
City Council, which must consider the place of future marijuana 
retail establishments in our community. Lest we forget, 69 percent of 
city voters supported Amendment 64 and its legalization of the use 
and possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and older. 
That's an overwhelming majority that cannot and should not be ignored 
when the city begins to discuss potential regulations.

In the meantime, we support the county's move toward banning 
marijuana from its properties, including the Routt County Fairgrounds 
in Hayden. There is always an opportunity to revisit the decision in the future.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom