Archive for Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Our View: Moratorium justified
August 26, 2009
Craig Editorial Board, July 2009 to September 2009
- Bryce Jacobson, newspaper representative
- Joshua Roberts, newspaper representative
- Collin Smith, newspaper representative
- Kim McMurtrey, community representative
- Doris Zimmerman, community representative
- Nancy Hettinger, community representative
A dispensary for medical marijuana is now open in Craig, a new business venture that should be neither celebrated nor encouraged.
Craig resident Shaun Hadley and his business partner, Larry Hill, of Longmont, opened Craig Apothecary on Saturday.
Paving the way for the dispensary's opening was a 2000 vote in which Colorado voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana.
Emotions about the issue of medicinal marijuana sometimes run high, and Tuesday night at the Craig City Council meeting was an example.
Opponents and proponents alike had their say, sometimes heatedly, before the governing body, which ultimately approved implementing a moratorium on dispensaries.
The moratorium won't affect Craig Apothecary because it opened before the moratorium was implemented.
It does, however, prevent more dispensaries for 60 days, which city officials will use to further study the dispensary issue.
The Editorial Board supports the council's decision on the dispensary. This issue requires more research, information and thought.
Board members do not support the idea of an unregulated dispensary, especially in our community, an area that has been battered by the plague of methamphetamine use and distribution.
But given that the Craig Apothecary appears to have met all legal requirements, it's hard to fathom much standing in the way of the dispensary conducting business.
Given that, the Editorial Board is in favor of the City Council implementing as many safeguards as possible regarding the new business.
If the business has to be here, it needs regulations that are going to prevent the drug from falling into the hands of recreational users.
Legitimate customers are one thing - someone using it to have a good time is another.
That means bolstered security measures to limit robberies.
That means regular compliance checks on the business so it's confirmed that only people who are legally allowed to have the drug get it.
That means keeping youths out of the business and limiting its visibility and exposure.
One thing that's assuring - Hadley's statement Tuesday night to the City Council that he's willing to comply with regulations, so long as his business isn't required to move locations.
That's a start in the right direction.
If the business is going to be here, it should at least operate under rules the council - and the community - find acceptable.
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26 August 2009
at 4:42 p.m.
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GreyStone (Anonymous) says…
In November of 2000, voters of the state of Colorado passed Amendment 20 to the state's constitution which effectively legalized medicinal marijuana and the City Council is just getting around to declaring a unanimously approved, emergency moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Tuesday night. Last NIGHT.
OK, they thought about it for almost nine years and now it is an emergency.
Next time the City Council might think about getting in front of the situation rather than reacting after the fact.
26 August 2009
at 5:36 p.m.
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Isis (Anonymous) says…
I am curious. It has been said that this business is at 611 Breeze Street. I thought that is a residential area. If so, how can anyone open a business there? Were the neighbors given any choice in this?
27 August 2009
at 6:12 a.m.
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nimrod (Anonymous) says…
I am once again discusted by this so called “editorial board”! For you to even compare a medical marajuana dispensary with “the plague of methamphetamine use and distribution” is rediculous. The two aren't even remotely related.
Your agreement with this “emergency moratorium” is equally ludicrous. The Voters legalized medical marajuana in November of 2000 and almost 9 years later it constitutes an “emergency”??????
27 August 2009
at 11:52 a.m.
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TRAVISSELAN (Anonymous) says…
Isis; well i think there was an office there before and there is a bed and breakfeast across the street so the zoneing must be right.
What i wonder is the moratorium is that legal? to stop people from opening a legal business giveing Mr. Hadley a monopolly ? dont forget are council dosnt always obey the law think of Mr. Reina and that bunch of B.S could this cost us as well?
Well i applaued Mr.Hadley he was laid off out of work, things looking bad. But he found something to do. he got up got the paper work done got the tax number found a partener to help him and a place to sell it from and got it done before the counsle could stop him. congradulations Mr. Hadley ambition like this schould be rewarded, it doesnt sound like he's lazy to me.
3 September 2009
at 6:20 a.m.
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tutone (Anonymous) says…
Who needs a moratorium to decide if you can get your meds or not. For the finest quality organic medical marijuana visit http://www.highcountrycaregiver.com . Our site has plenty of medical info, and a link to the state registry with the real deal on medical marijuana. We bring your meds to you in the privacy of your home.
3 September 2009
at 9:10 p.m.
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A_Happy_Lawyer (Anonymous) says…
I believe the last comment, by user “tutone” is a blatant advertisement and a violation of this newspaper's policy. I have suggested that it be removed.
3 September 2009
at 9:43 p.m.
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Sumarjn (Anonymous) says…
If the Happy Lawyer is interested in “marijuana reform”, why would he/she be critical of tutone's rant?
It seems from Boulder to Montrose, the medical pot issue is hot, except Montrose seems to be ahead of the curve in regards to pot heads sneaking in their “dispensaries”?
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Legal distribution? City to research, determine if it will allow medical marijuana dispensaries
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By Kati O'Hare
Daily Press Writer
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, September 3, 2009 4:14 AM MDT
montrose - Montrose City Councilors will consider a moratorium on reviewing applications for medical marijuana dispensaries in the city until they've done further research into the issue.
An ordinance declaring a moratorium - a temporary prohibition of the activity - will be considered during council's regular meeting tonight.
The moratorium is for a six-month period, or until the council takes further action, so council can study how to handle requests for dispensaries.
“Possession of marijuana is still a federal crime,” city attorney Russ Duree said. “Dispensaries are not authorized in the Colorado constitutional (medical marijuana) amendment … regulations are silent on the issues of dispensaries.”
4 September 2009
at 8:17 a.m.
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tutone (Anonymous) says…
I advertise the need for people to get there meds. Medical marijuana has been around in Colorado for 9 years now, and caregivers have been growing and providing since then.
The whole dispencary / moratorium issues are relatively new, with all of the publicity around medical marijuana and dispencaries, one might think that dispencaries are the only way to get meds.
The purpose of High Country Caregiver is to provide information on medical marijuana, to teach those interested to grow their own, and if they need help, I will be their caregiver.
4 September 2009
at 9:30 a.m.
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daybyday (Anonymous) says…
I don't know about anyone else, but as more of this dispensary issue comes to the open light, I feel the term “caregiver” was invented as a clever way to soften the blow, and now is being run with by some (most?) as a disquise rather than a description of someone who cares about health, resonsibility and liability. Why am I surprised.
4 September 2009
at 9:32 a.m.
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GreyStone (Anonymous) says…
Just another noxious commercial advertisement:.Free advertisement .
4 September 2009
at 11:04 a.m.
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Marvin (Anonymous) says…
I personally have been into the Craig Apothecary to check it out, and they also offer help and advice to those that wish to grow their own, among dvd, & books to take home free. And, for those that cant grow, they can appoint a caregiver to do so for them. what many patients dont know, is that you can do BOTH. You can grow your own and have a caregiver grow for you. Its a smart idea to do so, so you can have a harvest around every 4 months depending on when you start either grow. I just want to state how terrific it is to have the Craig Apothecary in town. It is much needed by those with medical cards, so that they can go to someone legal and safe. Oh, and BTW they dont have to abide by the moratorium, because they opened before it, but The owner said the he would willingly comply to resonable city rules, but he is NOT required to do so,& can opt out at any time. So all the complaining isnt going to do anything to his business but make more people aware its here, and give him more customers.:) so keep it up, I really want to see his business make it, if for anyhting, to stick it in the City councils face. :)