Reefer madness comes to Ouray

[Robb]

This is the online version of the Ouray Plaindealer, tiny paper out on the Western Slope; the poster is the publisher. :D

Reefer madness comes to Ouray

Oh me, oh my. Marijuana on the streets of Ouray. Or at least the prospect of.
And we’re not alone. Communities across Colorado, all of ’em it seems, are grappling with a wildfire-like spread of stores to sell weed to sick people, which is perfectly legal in our state.
Prudently, City Council got the horse back in front of the cart on this issue by getting into the pipeline a six-month moratorium for permitting medical marijuana dispensaries.
Two parties had expressed interest in applying for a permit to open such shops in Ouray, but they’ll have to wait.
Now, at least, we can fully flesh out all angles on what is a complex, and sometimes emotional, issue.
Other towns didn’t get a chance to have a reasoned debate. Denver might have earned the nation’s title as pot capital, as more than 300 permits have been pulled for pot dispensaries, more than there are retail liquor outlets.
At the other end of the population spectrum, our Engineer Pass neighbor Lake City in December saw the opening of a marijuana shop on Gunnison Avenue. Then, an after-the-fact, emergency moratorium passed in a controversial way, resulting in the resignation of a town trustee....(more)

[donco6]

1. The hysteria is just starting.

We have a shop opening in Stapleton, and the soccer moms are OUTRAGED that their babies are going to be force-fed pot on the playground.

I agree it needs regulation, but they're proposing these draconian rules to completely eliminate it.

Sad.

[byronius]

2. Ouray's one of my favorite towns in the world.

Just passed through a couple of times; stayed overnight once. Georgeous. Friendly. At least in the early eighties.

I've always dreamed of living there.

[Robb]

3. Meh. Looks like when they enacted the moratorium

...the general feeling was "never would be better."

[uncle ray]

4. i'm curious to see what happens here in the springs.

rumor is there is a medical marijuana task force, comprised of dispensary owners, growers, patients, etc. who are writing up an extensive draft ordinance to regulate the dispensaries here. from what i've heard, their proposal is actually more liberal than the one denver passed recently. it'll be interesting to see how city council handles it.