COUNCIL MADE RIGHT MOVE TO SEND MMJ ISSUE TO VOTE

Earlier this month, Loveland resident Nancy Ulibarri stood before the
Loveland City Council and asked for the right to vote on an issue
dividing the community: medical marijuana.

Ulibarri, a 16-year resident, is not a medical marijuana user. In
fact, she opposes having medical marijuana dispensaries in the
community because they provide too many opportunities for abuse, she
said.

Still, Ulibarri is a concerned resident who hopes to speak out about
the city of Loveland's future.

"I think that since this is such a controversial, hot-button issue,
it's something that you should let Loveland's citizens decide,"
Ulibarri told the City Council. "It's not right to have nine people
make a decision for the rest of us on this issue."

After several meetings and hours of lengthy discussion and debate, the
City Council this week took those sentiments to heart and moved to
allow voters to decide if medical-marijuana-related business can
operate legally in the city.

By not immediately opting out of the state's medical marijuana
provisions and instead giving residents the opportunity to vote, the
City Council is clearing the air on a difficult issue.

Additionally, the council is providing residents an important
opportunity to stand up for their beliefs in how the community should
grow and change.

For this the City Council should be commended.

Now it's time for residents to educate themselves about this divisive
topic and make their feelings known by voting in the November election.