RIFLE CITY ORDINANCE DESIGNED TO REGULATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

An ordinance with guidelines to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries
within city limits was unanimously passed by Rifle City Council members at
the regular Nov. 18 city council meeting. The ordinance puts restrictions
on where medical marijuana can be sold and the hours of operation, but
eliminates a previous provision prohibiting a picture of a marijuana leaf
on a dispensary sign.

However, it is still required that any sign with the word "marijuana,"
"cannabis" or any other word or phrase commonly understood to refer to
marijuana be prefaced by the word "medical" in accordance with the
Colorado law that was approved by voters in 2000.

Council members listened to some public comments before voting on the
ordinance, with one member absent.

Assistant City Attorney Jim Neu was the one who recommended taking out the
restriction on placing images of a marijuana plant on signs.

"The reason for taking it out was because he wasn't sure it would stand
the test of a legal challenge," said Mayor Keith Lambert.

When polled, the council was split 3-3 on whether or not the issue should
be dealt with in the city's sign code, but decided against it.

"We decided it wasn't worth the time and expense to deal with it in the
sign code," Lambert said.

The city currently has three operating medical marijuana dispensaries,
with a fourth one expected to open. The ordinance requires that
dispensaries be limited to the downtown area and be at least 500 feet
apart. Other requirements in the ordinance require operators of a medical
marijuana dispensary to be fingerprinted and undergo a background check.

Those receiving medical marijuana must be licensed through the state. The
drug is used to treat those suffering diseases such as cancer, AIDS and
glaucoma. It is available in edible, smokable and ointment forms and must
be prescribed by a physician.