CASTLE ROCK DESIGNATES AREAS FOR POT GARDENS

CASTLE ROCK -- The City Council approved interim zoning restrictions
for group medical marijuana gardens Monday without discussion or
audience comment -- a far cry from boisterous earlier meetings about the topic.

The rules grew out of a state law in July allows medical marijuana
patients to band together and form collective gardens. Previous
meetings on the subject were heated, with medical marijuana
supporters saying their rights were being restricted and opponents
worrying that the city's children would be damaged if the gardens were allowed.

The emergency rules restrict the collective gardens to two "highway
business district" areas near Interstate 5. Most of the land is east
of the highway and away from the city's downtown and residential
core. The council also set a number of restrictions, including
requiring a city building permit and not allowing the plants to be
seen from the street. By state law, the gardens cannot have more than
10 member patients and no more than 45 plants.

The emergency rules are in effect until January. The city Planning
Commission will draft the city's final ordinances, which will be
presented to the City Council for formal adoption in December.