FORT COLLINS MEDICAL MARIJUANA SUPPORTERS WON'T CHALLENGE DISPENSARY
BAN PETITIONS

A group advocating for Fort Collins medical marijuana centers won't
file a legal challenge to a petition drive seeking to ban the
dispensaries, choosing instead to focus on taking its message to voters.

"We feel that voters can and will make the right decision if given the
facts," said Terri Gomez, campaign director for Citi-zens for Safer
Neighborhoods, a grassroots committee formed to oppose the ban. "We
want to focus attention on the legitimacy of the regulated medical
marijuana model and protect our city's commerce and economic
opportunity. The issue before us is about fairness, control and access
for patients who are doctor-approved to purchase medical marijuana."

The Fort Collins city clerk last week certified that dispensary
opponents had gathered enough signatures to place a proposed ordinance
before City Council that would outlaw the retail centers. The council
will decide at its Aug. 16 meeting whether to approve the ordinance or
send it to voters in November.

Bob Powell, chairman of the group Concerned Fort Collins Citizens,
which organized the petition drive, welcomed the deci-sion not to
challenge what he said was a very clean petition drive.

"We're planning now what steps to take and how to conduct a good,
clean appeal to the voters and the City Council," Powell said.