POT SHOP OWNER WEIGHS ORDER

A Butte medical marijuana caregiver says she hasn't decided whether
she'll comply with a cease and desist order issued by the local government.

On one hand, Tawnya LaFond says the idea of facing fines or possibly
even jail time is discouraging. But the Butte native says she's
received numerous calls from supporters encouraging her to fight
against a system she believes is biased against medical marijuana caregivers.

"I'm just out here trying to provide a service and do what I've been
doing, and I'm getting slapped in the face every place I turn," LaFond
said.

Butte-Silver Bow on Wednesday issued a zoning violation against
LaFond, and said she must stop operating her business located in a
residentially zoned area at 672 S. Montana St.

The notice was sent to LaFond via certified mail, said Lori Casey,
senior Butte-Silver Bow planner.

LaFond told The Montana Standard Thursday that the letter hadn't yet
arrived and that she's open for business while weighing her options.

Casey contends any new business operating in a residential area needs
a variance from the zoning board of adjustment.

She added that LaFond doesn't have a business license to operate at
672 S. Montana.

But LaFond argues she's seeking nonprofit status and is not required
to purchase a business license from the city-county.

Still, Casey says even nonprofits must be approved by the zoning board
before opening for business.

LaFond says city-county zoning laws permit the conditional use of a
number of medical facilities such as hers in residential zones and
that she plans to meet with the zoning board during its April 21 meeting.

LaFond plans to ask the zoning board for the green light to continue
operating from the South Montana Street location as a nonprofit
organization, The Patch, with five to seven employees.

"We will keep our doors open until we receive the cease and desist and
then we will decide from there what we're doing," she said. "We'll
deal with it day to day."