New state law might affect town dispensary regulations

“Our law is pretty good…”

Crested Butte’s medical marijuana ordinance might have to be tweaked to come into compliance with regulations approved by the state legislature this week. Governor Bill Ritter has not yet signed the bill.

Town Attorney John Belkin told the Crested Butte Town Council on Monday, May 17 that dispensaries will have to be licensed by the state. “I haven’t looked at what was passed but our ordinance should line up pretty well as I understand it,” he said. “We may have to make some changes but I don’t think anything major. We can continue to have our ordinance.”
Under the bill, cities and counties can ban dispensaries. Individual caregivers would still be able to provide marijuana to up to five people wherever there is a ban imposed. Dispensary owners would have to complete criminal background checks, and the state revenue department would check that their funding has no criminal ties. Dispensaries would also have to grow 70 percent of their marijuana, a provision aimed at keeping tabs on where the drug is being sold.
The bill would also keep the location of marijuana grows secret. It would bar dispensaries from being located within 1,000 feet of schools, colleges, a childcare facility or a seminary.
“I think the council needs to understand that our ordinance fits in fine but we will be getting a lot of questions,” Belkin said. “Our law is pretty good.”
Belkin reminded the council that the Crested Butte ordinance has a sunset provision so the council will be reviewing the law within the next year.
“The permitting process in town works pretty well but we may have to make some adjustments with the state law. It is something we need to keep an eye on.”