Pubdate: Fri, 17 Jan 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Christopher N. Osher

CITY GAINS CITED IN MEDICAL POT

Gallagher Says Licensing Has Improved Since Scathing Audit

Denver's auditor says the city has made significant strides in its 
management of medical marijuana licensing, which in July was the 
subject of a scathing audit from his office.

"I am pleased to report that the Department of Excise and Licenses 
has taken our recommendations seriously and diligently worked to 
implement them," Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher said in a prepared statement.

The original audit found the city's oversight of medical marijuana 
dispensaries had been "ineffective" and "inefficient," creating 
"significant risks to the city."

Results of a follow-up review released on Thursday found that the 
city had put in place 10 of the 15 recommendations from the original 
audit and another recommendation no longer is applicable.

The city has hired an outside consultant to review and reconcile all 
paper files for medical marijuana licenses, the auditor reported. 
That review is expected to be completed in 90 days.

The changes that have been put in place range from putting in proper 
safeguards to ensure paper and digital licensing files are secure to 
authorizing authorities to collect license-renewal fees at the time 
of renewal, Gallagher said.

The city also has improved the inspection process for medical 
marijuana facilities, he added.

Gallagher said the main issue that remains revolves around moving 
electronic files and records for medical marijuana licensing to the 
city's new Accela system, which is to become the data-information 
system for city departments.

The Excise and Licenses Department is projected to have Accela 
operating properly by this summer, said Denis Berckefeldt, a 
spokesman for Gallagher.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom