DON'T KILL THE GREEN GOOSE

The Boulder City Council is currently
embarking on an endeavor to create rules for medical marijuana
dispensaries. In creating these regulations, let us not kill the
green goose that is laying the golden egg of good jobs and increased
revenue for the city. As the owner of the Village Green Society, and
a member of a larger coalition of dispensaries, we support sensible
regulations that will provide a foundation for the industry and the
city.

The Medical Marijuana Industry has already had a very positive
economic and social impact on the city of Boulder and we encourage
the city to strongly consider the revenue and jobs that the impact of
the regulations would have. From real estate, to newspaper
advertisements, to increasing sales tax receipts, we are contributing
to the economic vitality of Boulder.

In fact, any analysis by the city should include the total sum figure
Boulder has received in tax receipts in 2009 from the industry, which
is likely no small figure. We are proud to be one of the very first
dispensaries to join the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. As the city
searches far and wide for revenue, we hope that this economic
activity would not be adversely impacted.

However, there are a number of provisions in the proposed regulations
that are unnecessary and burdensome. The city is proposing an initial
application fee $2,000 and an annual license fee of $3,000 for each
business license held by a medical marijuana business. The fee is
excessive and is not based on any specific increased activities by
city staff, which was noted in a recent planning meeting. It should
also be noted that each medical marijuana business pays monthly sales
tax further helping to contribute the city's annual operating budget.

By implementing a $5,000 fee for a license, many medical marijuana
businesses will not have the capital accessible to pay the fee and
will subsequently be forced to close. Competition is high and the
margins are very small in this business because we are limited to
those who have medical marijuana cards and the pool of patients is
limited.

The draft provision for management plans, including but not limited
to, a statement of operational characteristics, dimensioned floor
plans and security plans far outreaches regulation needs. Dispensary
operators are well aware of the management and operations necessary
to run a good clinic, if not, the market will force them to close.
Many dispensaries have already taken precautionary security measures,
but 24-hour surveillance for every dispensary is very costly and not
necessary.

In addition to the above plans the city also proposes requiring
medical marijuana businesses to fulfill responsibilities as a good
neighbor including outreach and dispute resolution Further
clarification is needed on this topic and what outreach means.

The Village Green Society is committed to conducting ourselves as a
model business and long-term member of the Boulder community. I
believe that together we can design a regulatory process that both
the City of Boulder and dispensary owners alike feel is fair and
just. But in this process, the city should be careful and not kill
this goose just because it is green.

Adam Odoski lives in Boulder and is the owner of the Village Green
Society.