Steamboat Springs — The Hayden Town Council on Thursday will make a final decision on whether entrepreneurs with a green thumb can grow marijuana for a profit.

On a 6-1 vote July 16, the town council approved the first reading of the cultivation ordinance, which would allow for licensed commercial growing operations. It would also limit the number of plants that can be privately grown to 12 per property.

On Thursday night, the council will hold a public hearing for the ordinance during its regular meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

After the public hearing, the council could choose to take a final vote on the ordinance.

Councilman Dallas Robinson is strongly opposed to the ordinance and was the only council member to vote against it.

“I live here, and I value the principals that are here,” Robinson said during the July 16 meeting. “I see kids that have moved back here to raise their kids because they knew it was safe near their parents, near their roots.”

Other council members wanted to move the ordinance forward with the hopes of hearing more comments from the public during the public hearing.

Mayor Jim Haskins on Tuesday said he did not know which way the vote would go.

“It’s really hard for me to tell,” Haskins said.

Haskins said residents he has spoken to favor of the ordinance, but he has not decided how he will vote.

“I want to hear what transpires Thursday,” Haskins said. “I don’t expect to hear anything that I haven’t heard before, but I still want to hear.”

Hayden resident Rodney McGowen has proposed opening a grow operation in the Valley View Industrial Park in a building he owns, which has been underutilized. McGowen would then sell the marijuana to retail shops.

The proposed ordinance does not allow for marijuana to be sold in retail shops.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland