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Aspen: Marijuana Dispensaries to Be Zoned Like Pharmacies

By Jeralyn, Section Colorado News
Posted on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:00:34 AM EST
Tags: marijuana reform (all tags)
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Medical marijuana dispensaries have been cropping up along the Front Range in Colorado. Already established in Basalt and Carbondale, two in Aspen are planning on opening.

Aspen's community development director issued an opinion Wednesday that the zoning code does not prohibit dispensaries just because it doesn't specifically recognize them. He says they should be zoned just like pharmacies.

Medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed anywhere in Aspen that allows an office, the city’s top planning director said Thursday.

...Aspen’s land-use code does not specifically recognize marijuana dispensaries but Chris Bendon, the city’s community development director, said his office examined various zoning definitions and determined the dispensaries should generally be treated like pharmacies.

Bendon's report will now go to the City Council for approval. What's causing this "brave new world"? [More...]

Voters in November 2000 approved Amendment 20, which authorizes the legalization of marijuana for certain debilitating health conditions. That, combined with a statement from the Obama administration’s drug czar that the federal government won’t crack down on medicinal marijuana dispensaries, has hatched a brave new world for the marijuana business.

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    Aspen: Marijuana Dispensaries to Be Zoned Like Pharmacies | 9 comments (9 topical)

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    Well (none / 0) (#1)
    by Steve M on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:07:52 AM EST
    apropos of the other post, I'd much rather have a marijuana dispensary in my neighborhood than a bar!

    Not for nothing... (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:18:34 AM EST
    we already all have marijuana dispensaries in all of our neighborhoods...every single neighborhood. Unless you're a customer, a nosy neighbor, or a narc on a case you would never know they are there.

    I wouldn't sweat zoning and locations too much if I was Colorado....just let it be.

    Parent

    Interesting that... (none / 0) (#3)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:19:10 AM EST
    ...two people I know have recently started talking about wanting to open a dispensary.  Aspen would certainly be a nice enough place to do so.  

    I get calls every day (none / 0) (#4)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:20:47 AM EST
    from people interested in opening dispensaries. I refer them elsewhere as I'm not a business lawyer, but I'm really amazed at how many want in on this.

    Parent
    Stand to reason, I guess... (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:35:09 AM EST
    ...a growth industry in a down economy.  

    Maybe I should look into marketing my old brownie recipe.

    Parent

    I can ... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:42:25 AM EST
    see many perks to being in the dispensing business...more perks than the plumbing business, to be sure:)

    Parent
    hmmm..... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Fabian on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 11:44:50 AM EST
    That's me waiting for Big Pharma to move in once their corp lawyers have cleared the way.

    Just because most of their money is made on patented pharmaceuticals doesn't they can't come up with a business model for cannabis.  All they need to do is to convince the government that they are the most reliable and trustworthy agents for Change.

    Parent

    They pretty tried... (none / 0) (#9)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 11:55:41 AM EST
    ...and failed with Marinol.  They've poured a ton of money into synthetics that they could patent, but just couldn't come close to what Mother Nature gave us.  

    From a production standpoint, I'd be more worried about the Monsanto's and ConAg's of the World getting their grubby little paws in the mix.  

    Parent

    Kdog hit the nail on the head (none / 0) (#7)
    by dead dancer on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 11:22:00 AM EST
    I may not have the appropriate illness to qualify for medical use; but if i own a business ...

    Profits up in smoke!

    Parent

    Aspen: Marijuana Dispensaries to Be Zoned Like Pharmacies | 9 comments (9 topical)

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