By Josh Simeone
j.simeone@krdo.com
Follow me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/joshsimeone <http://www.Twitter.com/joshsimeone>
COLORADO SPRINGS - City Council members are now considering how to fill some holes in the state's medical marijuana law without violating any voter's rights.
On Monday, Colorado Springs Police Chief Richard Myers and El Paso County District Attorney Dan May presented council members with a report detailing an alarming number of city resources that are now being used to uphold the medical marijuana law.
District Attorney Dan May told council members one of the biggest issues is that Colorado's law doesn't provide enough detail on what makes a legal medical marijuana dispensary. Under state law, any registered medical marijuana user can open a grow operation or "dispensary" wherever the like. That includes anywhere in the city, including in the neighborhood of schools, such as one dispensary operating within a few blocks of Palmer High School in downtown Colorado Springs.
May and Chief Myers both told council members during their informal Monday afternoon meeting that they are not condemning the use of medical marijuana, rather they want to be able to keep neighborhoods safe without infringing on rights.
The report recommends the city enforce its zoning laws, which would allow for greater control over where a dispensary can set up shop in the city. The report also recommended the city consider some type of business tax, on grow operations, similar to ones other business owners are required to pay.
Council member Sean Paige (District 3) said he wants to allow medical marijuana users who are registered their freedoms, however, he says he would be open to some type of tax.
Some of the medical users in the room for the presentation applauded Councilman Paige's openness to a type of tax. Paige, and many other council members said they don't want to over react, while at the same time want to provide at least some type of control without violating anyone's rights.
Colorado Springs Police say they are seeing crimes related to dispensaries, such as burglaries, robberies and assaults.
