DISPUTE ALLOWS CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT FORT COLLINS MARIJUANA ISSUE

Residents Are Urged to Become More Informed

Two groups of residents are working hard to convince local voters
that their views on medical marijuana should prevail in Fort Collins.

One group, Concerned Fort Collins Citizens, is gathering signatures
on a petition through July 17 in hopes of placing an issue on the
ballot this fall that seeks to ban medical marijuana dispensaries
here in Fort Collins.

Its opposition, Citizens for Safer Neighborhoods, is working to
defeat the issue by explaining the merits of medical marijuana dispensaries.

The Coloradoan editorial board will not take a stand on this issue
until or unless the signature-gathering process leads to a city
ballot initiative. Still, this is an opportune time to remind all
residents to become better informed on the issues surrounding medical
marijuana. A pro/con piece appears on this page to give readers
insight into the varying points of view.

Since 2000, when Colorado voters approved the use of medical
marijuana in a state amendment to the Constitution that included
little regulatory guidance, the issue has become more complicated
than many likely ever imagined.

A conflict persists between the federal government, which has sent
mixed messages about its role in prosecuting marijuana possession as
illegal, and state governments that have approved the use of medical
marijuana. State Legislatures, including Colorado's, have tried to
define possession, growth and distribution of medical marijuana.
Cities have taken up the issue via zoning regulations.

Here in Fort Collins, the issue has now reached a more individual
level via the petition effort.

This provides an opportunity for residents to become more informed
about medical marijuana and its relationship to Fort Collins. Seize
the chance to learn more about this issue - it's a topic that isn't
likely to disappear soon.