BILL COULD CLEAR UP CONFUSION ON POT CENTERS

Lawmakers are hoping to pass a bill that would clarify the
uncertainties that could leave Douglas County medical marijuana
dispensaries in limbo.

The rules contained in House Bill 1284 - passed last year to regulate
the burgeoning medical marijuana industry - left a few questions,
including what to do with existing dispensaries in towns and counties
that have voted against the presence of medical marijuana in their
community. There are, first and foremost, concerns about the rights
of business owners who have followed the law by the book, before any
newer, stricter guidelines were in place.

Rep. Tom Massey and Sen. Pat Steadman introduced House Bill 1043
during the first day of Colorado's legislative session in the hopes
of closing loopholes and cleaning up vague language in HB 1284. The
bipartisan measure is in the process of being reworked, and Douglas
County officials are waiting until the final document is presented
before deciding how to proceed.

County attorney Lance Ingalls had suggested bringing its dilemma
before a judge to interpret state and local law to decide whether
medical marijuana centers in Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines and
Franktown should be allowed to stay in operation after July 1.
Douglas County will take a position on the new draft in the coming
weeks, said Wendy Holmes, director of media relations for the county.

Voters of unincorporated Douglas County voted in favor of prohibiting
medical marijuana centers during the November election, but Dr. Eric
Hatch, a chiropractor who owns a wellness clinic that sells marijuana
in Highlands Ranch, has argued that people did not know the vote
would affect the existing businesses. The question did not say
whether new or old dispensaries were being addressed.

Douglas County commissioner Steve Boand said he believed that
residents had voted against dispensaries entirely. Voters in Lone
Tree and Castle Pines also defeated similar measures by wide margins.

The dispensaries have remained open since the vote. The business
owners, however, are worried that they will not be allowed to renew
their licenses in July.