EAGLE COUNTY MULLS WORDING OF MARIJUANA QUESTION

New Language Would Ask Voters Whether They Want Pot Shops To Stay
Open

EAGLE, Colorado -- Eagle County voters will be asked this fall whether
or not to ban medical marijuana dispensaries. But how they'll be asked
is taking some time.

At the urging of an attorney for one of the dispensaries, voters will
be asked if they want to keep the medical marijuana businesses
operating. The original ballot language asked voters if they wanted to
ban the shops. The commissioners have said they'll abide by the
results of the vote, although it won't have the force of law.

A new state law passed this year gives local governments the power to
regulate, license or ban medical marijuana dispensaries. The business
has boomed since federal officials last year said they wouldn't
interfere with states that have medical marijuana laws. Marijuana
possession remains a federal crime.

"Words matter, and how you ask the question is important," said Rohn
Robbins, an attorney for one of the county's dispensaries.

Commissioners Jon Stavney and Peter Runyon agreed with Robbins'
request, with a few strings attached.

"As a commissioner, I don't intend to not regulate this," Stavney
said. "But the real question here is what's clearest to the voters."

Runyon agreed that clarity to voters is essential.

"If I'm for this, I vote yes; if I'm against it, I vote no," Runyon
said.

Commissioner Sara Fisher said she didn't have a problem with the
original language, which asked voters whether or not to prohibit the
shops, but said she wouldn't object to asking the question the other
way, either.

Eagle County Attorney Bryan Treu told the commissioners he doesn't
have a real problem with the way the question is worded, since the
ballot question is advisory only.

"It's like the smoking ban question you asked voters," Treu said.
"This helps you make a decision you already can make."