COMMISSIONERS BAN MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

The Board of County Commissioners on Monday banned retail marijuana
businesses.

The ban, which is effective immediately in the unincorporated areas of
the county, will not prevent legitimate patients from getting the herb
for medical use.

The county's ban affects marijuana dispensaries (known as marijuana
centers), commercial marijuana growing operations, and other
businesses that trade in various products containing marijuana
including food products, teas, soaps, lotions, and other products.

Local governments in the state were given authority by the Legislature
last July to adopt regulations, including outright bans, on retail
marijuana businesses. Hundreds of the outlets had sprung up statewide
over the past two years after federal authorities said they would not
prosecute small possession offenses, even though marijuana is illegal
under federal law. The retail "dispensaries" had claimed protected
status under the state's medical marijuana amendment.

In adopting their resolution, the BoCC noted the following:

* That exercising the local option to prohibit the businesses does not
impede, impair, or otherwise restrict the use of medical marijuana by
persons suffering from debilitating medical conditions as provided for
by Amendment 20 of the Colorado Constitution.

* The ban is necessary to the preservation and furtherance of the
health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Delta County.

The commissioners had placed a moratorium on marijuana businesses that
was to remain in force until July 2011. The new ban is permanent and
supersedes the temporary moratorium.