Pubdate: Thu, 20 Jun 2013
Source: Castle Rock News-Press (CO)
Contact:  2013 Our Colorado News, Highlands Ranch, CO. Colorado Community Medi
Website: http://www.ourcoloradonews.com/castlerock/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5447
Author: Virginia Grantier

CASTLE PINES BANS COMMERCIAL POT

Council Unanimously Votes to Ban Facilities

He's always looking for a way to increase city revenues, but never 
this way, Castle Pines Councilmember Marc Town said after the council 
voted unanimously on second reading June 11 to ban commercial 
marijuana operations in the city.

"You never want to bring in revenue that's going to negatively impact 
your community," he said.

The city's new ordinance prohibits marijuana cultivation facilities, 
testing and product manufacturing facilities, and retail marijuana stores.

Towne said in a recent interview that residents understand there are 
tax dollars in marijuana sales, but Castle Pines, like many other 
Douglas County communities, "is a very conservative community, very 
family oriented."

Marijuana being a drug, Castle Pines doesn't see commercial marijuana 
businesses "being conducive to the family and community environment 
that has been in place for many years," Towne said.

Towne said in communities such as Colorado Springs, which he visits 
often, there are quite a few marijuana dispensaries.

"The folks that are in front of those dispensaries are not Castle 
Pines clientele," he said. "You see a lot of folks that are obviously 
abusing. ... Those are the folks that are taking advantage."

Towne said Castle Pines may have residents who seek marijuana for 
medical treatment. The council is "sensitive to their needs," but 
what they need can be bought outside of Castle Pines, Towne said.

Colorado's Amendment 64, which voters passed last year legalizing 
recreational marijuana use, includes a provision allowing local 
jurisdictions to prohibit commercial marijuana facilities. And 
communities in Douglas County have been using it.

Douglas County was the state's first county to impose a commercial 
ban, and Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Parker and now Castle Pines have 
followed suit. Larkspur has imposed a moratorium until 2014, waiting 
to see what rules and regulations the state imposes before taking 
further action, Larkspur Town Manager Matt Krimmer said recently.

Towne also said it was a safety issue for his community.

He said marijuana is a high-cash business and items within those 
businesses have a very high value - and that increases the odds for 
outside burglaries.

Mayor Jeffrey Huff said his vote reflected local sentiment on 
Amendment 64, which the "majority in Douglas County voted against."

Towne said when the council votes, 90 percent of the voting ratio is 
based on feedback from the town's constituency.

"It was pretty unanimous through the community," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom