COUNTY CLOSES UNLICENSED MARIJUANA SHOP

Butte-Silver Bow has closed a medical marijuana office operating in a
residential area of Montana Street with no business license, according
to a city-county official.

Dave Palmer, chairman of the council of commissioners, told
commissioners Wednesday the local government issued a cease and desist
order on The Patch, which opened Monday at 672 S. Montana St.

Palmer says Tawnya LaFond, owner of the operation, began processing
paperwork Wednesday to receive a variance to operate as a caregiver in
the residential area.

She was told, however, that the business may not operate until zoning
officials make a ruling on her request in the coming weeks.

Palmer said he began reviewing the issue after reading a Tuesday
article in The Montana Standard outlining the planning department's
concerns about the shop opening in a residential area, and without a
business license.

LaFond told the newspaper on Monday that she didn't believe she needed
a business license since local zoning laws don't specifically address
medical marijuana caregivers, nor has the state Legislature clarified
where they may locate.

Lori Casey, senior city-county planner, said that although local laws
don't specifically address medical marijuana, all businesses must have
a business license and operate in commercial zones.

Zoning officials consider variances to operate businesses in
residential areas on a case-by-case basis.