Dispensary owners make case for Crested Butte MMJ

Town has collected $18K so far in MMJ sales tax

The Crested Butte Town Council will review its policy on medical marijuana (MMJ) at the Monday, June 6 council meeting, and dispensary owners hope they will strongly support medical marijuana in Crested Butte.

Town attorney John Belkin has strongly recommended the town not renew the three current MMJ dispensary permits, given recent reminders from the federal attorney general that marijuana remains illegal at the federal level.
Grant Belcher, manager and partner of the Crested Butte Wellness Center, said he just wants people to know the facts about medical marijuana. To that end, a lawyer representing the dispensaries will give a presentation to the council before the official meeting. A work session is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
“I understand it is a controversial industry but it is truly helping some people,” said Acme Dispensary owner Steffanie Chain. “Dispensaries provide a service to people who need help. Just this week I had a couple in their 70s come in. They don’t want to take narcotics anymore and wanted to try using something natural to treat their dilemma. They wouldn’t have known where to go to get medical marijuana without a dispensary. As a nurse and herbalist, I have seen medical marijuana be successful. It works. It’s an important thing.”
 “It’s hard to say how we would have run our business differently if we knew we could only be open for 12 months,” said Belcher. “We had the impression that if we followed state and local laws, the permit would be renewed. We’ve done that and it isn’t inexpensive.
“Not renewing the permit puts us in a precarious position,” Belcher continued. “I ask people to look at it not as a marijuana business but just a business. We spend a lot of money in the community, whether it is through rent, employees, sales tax and even advertising.”
Boomtown Dispensary owner Steve Hattendorf, Jr. says both patients and the town will be hurt if the dispensaries are closed. “There are 596 patients residing in Gunnison County,” he said.
“Between providing for these patients and the tax revenue generated for Crested Butte, the town can’t afford to close down our centers.”
According to the Crested Butte finance department, the town has taken in approximately $18,000 in sales tax from MMJ dispensaries from when they opened last summer in July until the end of April 2011. That would indicate an average of $1,800 in sales tax a month is generated from MMJ, or a gross total of about $45,000 per month in retail sales.
“I am disappointed in the council’s lack of conviction over the issue,” said Chain. “During the debate a year ago they said they felt dispensaries were important and good for patients who needed it.”
The owners all cite that the council should uphold the state constitution. “This was voted in by the people and the council is supposed to represent the people,” said Chain. “I understand that if they are afraid of the feds, they have to make a decision but I feel they represent us. I filed my federal taxes and the I.R.S. accepted that it came from a dispensary so the feds recognize this business.”
“The I.R.S. cashed my check,” added Belcher. “The federal government isn’t shy about taking my money. Look, the federal government hasn’t changed their position. I would hope the council looks at the big picture and not be scared of a letter that didn’t change anything from when they approved the issue. The feds have always had that stance. The letter cited by the town attorney just reiterates the position. I guess I understand why the attorney has to be conservative but the council has to look out for the people.”
“Arizona’s governor Jan Brewer has filed a lawsuit against the federal government for not making a clear stance on medical marijuana,” said Hattendorf. “And that is the same reason Crested Butte is even debating closures.”
Colorado, Arizona and 14 other states have medical-marijuana laws that conflict with federal law, which outlaws the cultivation, sale or use of marijuana.
“This is a movement of the people, for the people and by the people of the state of Colorado,” Chain said. “Colorado and other states are voting for the use of medical marijuana. I love my town and I know the council is in a tough spot. It’s challenging. Even if they ban it now, it will come back. I think they should stand by their convictions. It does a lot of good for people and dispensaries fulfill a need.”
“We have hundreds patients from all walks of life,” said Belcher. “I’m a proponent of the usefulness of medical marijuana. So where will they go if the dispensaries are closed? Back to the black market and the alleys? Is that what we want? It’s obvious from our tax revenues that many people in this town seem to understand the benefits of medical marijuana.
“Colorado has the most stringent rules and regulations for medical marijuana in the country,” Belcher continued. “A lot of the rest of the state is moving forward. For Crested Butte to put on the brakes over a letter that didn’t bring anything new to the table is surprising. If we as a town get behind the idea of marijuana being used to help people, we need to stay behind it.”
“The hardest part is the waffling,” summarized Chain. “If they extend it for something like six months, it’s probably more of a disservice. It’s a tough business and I’d rather see a decision. Either you are for something or you’re not. Waffling isn’t fair to anyone. I hope they have the political strength to stand behind what they believe.”
The council will discuss the ramifications of continuing to allow MMJ dispensaries in town Monday evening.