PROPOSED POT CENTER HOPES FOR APPROVAL

Owner says business will be discreet, professional and medically
based

The owner of a medical marijuana center proposed between Fort Collins
and Loveland plans to keep seeking approval for the business despite
receiving a cool reception from the Larimer County Planning Commission.

Anthony Hinojos of Organic Solutions said he intends to continue going
through the county's land-use review process and have a hearing on the
business.

The planning commission last week voted 7-1 to recommend the
commissioners deny Organic Solutions' application, citing concerns
about its location.

The proposed store would be at 7704 S. College Ave. in an existing
building south of Carpenter Road in unincorporated Larimer County.

With Loveland and Windsor voters approving measures that would force
medical marijuana centers to shut down next year, the proposed center
could be the closest one for patients in Weld County and southern
Larimer County to use to access medicine, Hinojos said.

"We still believe we have a good chance for approval from the county
commissioners," he said.

The commissioners earlier this year imposed a ban on medical marijuana
businesses in unincorporated areas but allowed businesses that had
already begun the county's land-use review process to continue and
receive a decision.

So far only two businesses have been approved. Both are in the Fort
Collins growth management area near Mulberry Street.

County planners had recommended approval of the business even though
it was less than 500 feet from the nearest residence.

But residents of the area told planning commissioners the proposed
business should not be allowed near the neighborhood, said Michael
Whitley, a county planner.

"It was all about neighborhood compatibility," he said.

Hinojos said he does not use marijuana. But he decided to get into the
business after seeing the relief medical marijuana provided his
grandmother and an elderly aunt as they suffered with the pain brought
on by chronic illnesses.

Neither of his elderly relatives would have felt comfortable walking
into local marijuana centers, Hinojos said, so he wants to pursue a
different business model.

His business would be discreet, professional and medically based,
Hinojos said. It would not sell paraphernalia or have jars of
marijuana on display. The state license for which he has applied would
allow him to have up to 300 patients.

"I can be selective about who I choose work with," he said. "It would
be limited to people who have serious ailments. This is not for
recreational users."

So far the commissioners have not approved proposed medical marijuana
businesses that have been opposed by neighbors concerned about
compatibility.

A hearing on Organic Solutions before the county commissioners has not
been scheduled.

Two more proposed businesses are still going through the county's
review process, Whitley said.