BASALT MEDICAL MARIJUANA CENTER OPENS AFTER A LONG, STRANGE TRIP

BASALT "" The town's only medical marijuana center opened Tuesday,
about six weeks after the owners and Basalt officials settled a
squabble over a business license.

Basalt Alternative Medicine (BAM) opened in the former WIN Institute
building adjacent to the Midvalley Medical Center. While there are an
estimated 12 centers in Carbondale and at least five in Aspen, BAM
finds itself in the unlikely position of having a monopoly in Basalt.

The town staff initially rejected BAM's application for a business
license based on various issues. The sides reached a compromise when
the decision was appealed to the Town Council. BAM was allowed to
operate under an existing, active license granted to Doctors
Healthcare Cooperative, a former dispensary that operated at the same
space. The town ruled the license could be transferred because Dr.
Jason Slaver was an investor in both the prior dispensary and in BAM.
Slaver's partners include Doug Olson and David Schoenberger, both of
Basalt.

One month after resolving the dispute over BAM, the Town Council
passed an emergency ordinance Oct. 26 that placed a moratorium of up
to two years on review and issuance of any additional licenses for
medical marijuana centers. Town Manager Bill Kane said the moratorium
was necessary because Colorado laws are too unclear on regulations on
dispensaries, thus forcing municipalities and counties to stumble
through costly and time-consuming reviews. Town officials hope the
state clarifies its regulations in the 2011 legislative session.

Schoenberger and Olson are relieved to finally get their business
open. Jeff Lessard, who was hired as general manger, whipped the small
shop into shape for the opening. Twelve jars of beefy buds of various
marijuana strains sit on shelves behind the counter. Granddaddy Purple
helps patients go to sleep while dealing with pain. A new strain
called Bruce Lee is designed as an "oeass-kicking" energizer,
Schoenberger said.

Lessard, a grower, said all of BAM's product is grown in organic soil,
either in the Basalt area or in San Miguel County, where Lessard has
operated medical marijuana centers in Telluride.

"oeNew strains are coming out every day" to help with a variety of
issues facing patients, he said. "oeEach time a person comes in, I
need to know what their ailments are, what's worked for them in the
past."

All the smokable inventory is stored in a large safe known as "oeThe
Fat Boy." Town rules also require the center to have a video
surveillance system that operates from multiple angles.

In addition to the smokable product, BAM is stocked with edibles and
elixirs. There is hard candy, Leaf Bar candy bars, peanut butter
called "oeSticky Icky," iced tea, lemonades, honey from western
Colorado, Mile High Harmony Cookies, Rest and Relaxation Brownies and
an energy drink billed as "oethe one hit wonder." All are infused
with THC.

"oeI know people have a need for edibles," Lessard said. "oeSmoking
just isn't going to work for them."

He is working on getting edibles low in sugar. "oeWe don't want to
turn all our patients into diabetics," he said.

Tinctures will be added to the collection. Drops of the infused liquid
can be added to tea, for instance.

Schoenberger said BAM's prices are competitive with other centers in
the valley. They also plan to compete in a saturated market by
offering top-quality product and service.

"oeI'm not saying it's the best," he said of the medical marijuana
offered by the shop. But "oeit's very clear, very consistent."

BAM is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5
p.m. on Sunday.

The business owners are exploring renewing their lease at the former
WIN building since the current agreement expires at the end of
November, Schoenberger said.