[420 Girl]

Co. - As was expected, the Ouray City Council voted unanimously Monday night to impose a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries.

Dispensaries have been popping up all over the state since they were approved by the state Legislature, which is still grappling with the issue.

A proposal to open a dispensary had been proposed at the city council’s meeting two weeks before by local businessman Erin Eddy and his attorney Andy Mueller. Eddy is manager of Ouray Realty Inc. and the Ouray Ice Park. Eddy said in a phone message on Wednesday that he has mixed feelings about the moratorium.

“I don’t know about the whole thing. I certainly don’t like when government has the ability to intrude into private business — that’s kind of our world today,” Eddy said.“From the standpoint of a small town, and kids and impressionable young people, I think that it’s a good thing they’re doing it.

“But I have mixed feelings. I don’t like government’s intrusion, then again I don’t know if it’s a good thing for school kids here in Ouray to be exposed to that sort of thing, if it comes to fruition.”

Several people in the audience spoke out in favor of the ordinance before the council vote. Former attorney Chris Statton said the city was “well advised to have a moratorium” and others suggested an even longer time to consider an ordinance to regulate medical pot stores.

Ouray City Administrator Patrick Rondinelli said eight or 10 bills are being proposed in the state Legislature to regulate marijuana dispensaries and one citizen suggested that the city impose the moratorium “to last as long as the state takes to figure it out.”

Ouray Mayor Bob Risch said the city couldn’t do that, but said the council wants to take its time and follow the law, and “we don’t want to set ourselves up to be a target” for possible future legal action.

City staff will work on gathering information on other ordinances, Rondinelli said, and he urged council members and citizens to also do research and give input to the council.

“There is a tremendous amount of information out there,” he said, drawing chuckles from the audience when he added, “There’s a lot that needs to be weeded through.”

Some ordinances are written so loosely that when a person is pulled over and marijuana is found in the car, they can claim it’s for medicinal use even though they have no proof, Rondinelli said, adding,” With some ordinances, you can do anything you want.”

Rondinelli said he strongly encourages councilmembers and citizens to “dig in and research” and give the city feedback, to stop staff or councilmembers on the street, call them on the phone, send letters and emails and post comments to the city’s website at City of Ouray - Switzerland of America.

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