GJ COUNCIL TO DISCUSS MARIJUANA REGULATION

The Grand Junction City Council will air out its options for
handling statewide medical marijuana legislation during a workshop
meeting Monday at City Hall.

Under the provisions of recently signed medical marijuana
legislation, city and county boards in Colorado can vote to ban
medical marijuana dispensaries, operations that grow medical
marijuana and product makers. They can ask local voters to decide
whether they want a ban or prefer to follow the rules outlined in
House Bill 1284.

Through a board decision or public vote, cities and counties can
make more stringent rules in addition to those in the bill.

One-size-fits-all legislation may not work for Colorado's diverse
roster of municipalities, Councilman Tom Kenyon said. The key is to
find what works for Grand Junction, he said.

"Personally, I think it's always a good decision to ask voters what
they want," Kenyon said.

But given the cost of elections, Kenyon said he wants to discuss
with the community first whether that's a worthwhile option. He said
he would like to have a discussion with Mesa County, Palisade and
Fruita leaders to see what they will be doing and how
their decisions could affect the city's plans.

Council member Gregg Palmer said he wants input from the community,
but he's not sure about a ballot option.

"Instead of spending money on an election, council is the
appropriate place to have the decision made," Palmer said. "I don't
see value in putting the issue off for months and months until we
can have an election."

Palmer said he's not in favor of banning all sources of medical
marijuana within city limits, but he would like to see local
guidelines regulating supply, sanitation standards and
qualifications for people to receive medical marijuana cards. The
city's process for liquor licensing could serve as a model for
licensing medical-marijuana-related businesses, Palmer said.

"If we use that template, I don't think we have to reinvent the
wheel," he said.

Whatever is decided, council member Sam Susuras said the council
needs to move quickly. Cities and counties have until July 1, 2011,
to decide what to do before medical-marijuana-related operations are
subject to all rules in House Bill 1284. Some provisions, such as
dispensaries paying fees and filling out Department of Revenue
forms, will go into effect as early as July 1 this year.

Susuras said he is confident the city will have some regulation in
addition to what the state outlined.

"I think we definitely need our own," he said.

Which direction Grand Junction will take is up for debate, Mayor
Teresa Coons said.

"I'm trying not to form an opinion before the (Monday workshop)
meeting. I'm hoping no one goes into the meeting saying 'Here's what
we're going to do,' " she said.

Grand Junction is joining a growing number of municipalities
considering their options after the June 7 signing of House Bill
1284. The City Council in Vail has adopted a ban, Sterling's council
is considering a ban, and the Aurora City Council is weighing a
public vote on a ban.