GreenSurfer
Well-Known Member
Pueblo City Council will put a medical marijuana dispensary moratorium extension to a vote in the coming weeks.
Potentially, this could force medical marijuana patients in Pueblo to wait an additional four months beyond the original 90 day moratorium. The original moratorium was put into place in November and was set to expire in the first week of February, 2010.
Under the current proposal, the moratorium would be lifted as of June 1, 2010.
By extending the moratorium, city government would allow state legislators to determine if regulations on medical marijuana dispensaries is a state issue or a local issue.
Pueblo City Manager, Jerry Pacheco, says if legislators say it's a state issue, the city's "hands are tied.
Meanwhile, Medimar Ministries has opened a wellness center in Pueblo, just south of the public library.
Eventually, they hope to be able to distribute medical marijuana from their building. The business was granted a license by the city saying they would sell herbal remedies, but never cited marijuana by name in the application.
Since then, the city and the business have had a tentative working relationship in which local officials have asked for them not to dispense the marijuana until a 90-day moratorium was up. That moratorium could potentially be extended in the upcoming vote.
General Manager of the dispensary, Richard Flores, says the business may survive the moratorium if it is extended. He plans to continue bringing in other ways patients can have their chronic pain relieved. He has already contracted with a local massage therapist. However, he says, it's difficult to say if the extra options will be enough to keep his head above water.
Right now, Flores is frustrated that none of the current council members have stopped by the business to check it out, or see what he has planned for the dispensary and it's security. Still, he is set on not opening the dispensary portion of the business until city council gives him the green light.
"We've done everything they've asked us to do to comply with the city to show them we are here to help the city not to bring problems to the city," say Flores
Many of Flores patients are unable to travel due to the intense pain it causes them. For now, they are finding other ways to get those patients their medical marijuana, but the end goal for Flores is to provide a safe, secure, place patients can go to get the relief they need.
Flores is also adamant on keeping the drugs off the streets, and in the hands of those who really need them. A sign posted just inside the front door of the clinic tells perspective clients they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone they choose.
Meanwhile, councilman-elect Steve Nawrocki says while it's important the state legislature clarifies the regulations for dispensaries. "We didn't have to wait another six months, at least to try it since it is a law the citizens did say they wanted to see this made available."
Voters passed a ballot issue in 2000 to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado.
On Monday, December 14, Pueblo City Council will hear the first reading of the proposed ordinance extending the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries until June 1, 2010. They will hear discussion and vote on that ordinance at their public meeting scheduled for December 28.
Here is a list of contact numbers for the council members, to express your support or opposition to the extension.
Council President Vera Ortegon - 543-5070
Councilwoman Barbara Vidmar - 544-5844
Councilwoman Judy Weaver - 545-4007
Councilman Larry Atencio - 545-3021
Councilman Mike Occhiato - 320-5815
Councilman Randy Thurston - 583-0293
Councilman Ray Aguilera - 549-3257
Potentially, this could force medical marijuana patients in Pueblo to wait an additional four months beyond the original 90 day moratorium. The original moratorium was put into place in November and was set to expire in the first week of February, 2010.
Under the current proposal, the moratorium would be lifted as of June 1, 2010.
By extending the moratorium, city government would allow state legislators to determine if regulations on medical marijuana dispensaries is a state issue or a local issue.
Pueblo City Manager, Jerry Pacheco, says if legislators say it's a state issue, the city's "hands are tied.
Meanwhile, Medimar Ministries has opened a wellness center in Pueblo, just south of the public library.
Eventually, they hope to be able to distribute medical marijuana from their building. The business was granted a license by the city saying they would sell herbal remedies, but never cited marijuana by name in the application.
Since then, the city and the business have had a tentative working relationship in which local officials have asked for them not to dispense the marijuana until a 90-day moratorium was up. That moratorium could potentially be extended in the upcoming vote.
General Manager of the dispensary, Richard Flores, says the business may survive the moratorium if it is extended. He plans to continue bringing in other ways patients can have their chronic pain relieved. He has already contracted with a local massage therapist. However, he says, it's difficult to say if the extra options will be enough to keep his head above water.
Right now, Flores is frustrated that none of the current council members have stopped by the business to check it out, or see what he has planned for the dispensary and it's security. Still, he is set on not opening the dispensary portion of the business until city council gives him the green light.
"We've done everything they've asked us to do to comply with the city to show them we are here to help the city not to bring problems to the city," say Flores
Many of Flores patients are unable to travel due to the intense pain it causes them. For now, they are finding other ways to get those patients their medical marijuana, but the end goal for Flores is to provide a safe, secure, place patients can go to get the relief they need.
Flores is also adamant on keeping the drugs off the streets, and in the hands of those who really need them. A sign posted just inside the front door of the clinic tells perspective clients they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone they choose.
Meanwhile, councilman-elect Steve Nawrocki says while it's important the state legislature clarifies the regulations for dispensaries. "We didn't have to wait another six months, at least to try it since it is a law the citizens did say they wanted to see this made available."
Voters passed a ballot issue in 2000 to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado.
On Monday, December 14, Pueblo City Council will hear the first reading of the proposed ordinance extending the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries until June 1, 2010. They will hear discussion and vote on that ordinance at their public meeting scheduled for December 28.
Here is a list of contact numbers for the council members, to express your support or opposition to the extension.
Council President Vera Ortegon - 543-5070
Councilwoman Barbara Vidmar - 544-5844
Councilwoman Judy Weaver - 545-4007
Councilman Larry Atencio - 545-3021
Councilman Mike Occhiato - 320-5815
Councilman Randy Thurston - 583-0293
Councilman Ray Aguilera - 549-3257