[420 Girl]

FORT COLLINS, Colorado – A moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries created just one month ago was lifted Monday after Larimer County commissioners and Planning Commission members approved amendments to the county’s land use code regarding the dispensaries and grow facilities.

Medical marijuana dispensaries outside city limits, including those already in place, can now go through a review process for approval to open in industrial and commercial zones.

The amendments give a series of standards medical marijuana dispensaries must comply with, including that they cannot be located within 1,000 feet of schools or child care facilities. They must also keep a distance from religious institutions, drug or alcohol rehabilitation facilities, public space or buildings and public parks.

Additionally, dispensaries cannot allow smoking or consumption of marijuana on their premises, while they also must take security measures to prevent unauthorized entrance and theft of the drug.

“We want this to work for our community, we want to make this work for legal patients using this as medicine,” said Commissioner Steve Johnson, noting that it’s important to weed out those dispensaries unwilling to follow guidelines and business standards.

“None of us want this to continue drug abuse in our community. If that happens, I think voters may respond by removing patients from being able to use it.”

Two commissioners did not approve of the amendments, including Gerald Hart of the Planning Commission.

"The medical marijuana industry has a valid purpose. But I see it being implemented on a ridiculous extent,” he said, adding that the Denver area alone is reported to have about 300 dispensaries.

“There are more than enough facilities that can be provided for municipalities. I see no reason for unincorporated areas to have medical marijuana dispensaries.”

The lifting of the moratorium does not affect the Estes Valley Planning Area, which has its own commission that will decide when and how to address the issue for its area.

Other cities in the county, including Loveland and Fort Collins, have implemented their own dispensary moratoriums. Those also remain in effect.

Colorado has allowed for the medical use of the drug since 2000, when voters approved Amendment 20. Recently, the federal government relaxed enforcement guidelines, which led to a rush of dispensaries opening in the area.


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