WITH WESTCLIFFE POT BAN NOW OFFICIAL, DISPENSARIES OUTLAWED COUNTYWIDE

Despite an appeal by a local resident to do otherwise, the Westcliffe
trustees have chosen to opt out of allowing medical marijuana
dispensaries within the town limits.

An ordinance adopting such action was approved via a six to one vote
during the regular Westcliffe trustees meeting on Dec. 7. Trustee John
Johnston voted no on adoption of the ordinance.

Johnson did not state a reason for his nay vote, however, during
previous trustee meetings Johnson has indicated he was in favor of
allowing the dispensaries.

Prior to the trustees vote, Valley resident Mike Higdon urged the
trustees to allow medical marijuana dispensaries.

Higdon said he would like to see the community grow and one way to do
that would be to allow someone the opportunity to operate a medical
marijuana dispensary.

"It's a business and it makes money," said Higdon, citing the city of
Denver has netted $2.2 million in tax revenues through such
dispensaries.

Higdon also said medical marijuana was a medicine that helped people,
and allowing a dispensary would help sick people to get well.

He also said that only persons who hold legal medical marijuana cards
would be able to purchase the drug in a dispensary so there should be
no fear of the drug getting into the wrong hands.

Following Higdon's plea, trustee Joe Cascarelli responded by saying he
had followed many news stories regarding the operation of medical
marijuana dispensaries and the problems associated with them.

Those problems, said Cascarelli, include increased burglaries and
other crimes.

Cascarelli made the motion to opt out of medical marijuana
dispensaries and trustee Art Nordyke seconded the motion. The motion
carried by a six to one vote.

Earlier this year, the Silver Cliff trustees opted out of allowing the
dispensaries, and in November Custer County voters also voted to not
allow them.

Additional information about the Dec. 7 Westcliffe trustees meeting
will appear in next week's issue of the Tribune.