To Vote Or Not To Vote
The Moffat County Commission took another step toward solidifying the future of Medical Cannabis dispensaries in the county.
At its regular meeting, the commission approved, 2-0, a resolution containing a ballot question for the November election.
As of now, the measure will appear before voters. However, the commission has until Oct. 6 to withdraw the question, if it chooses.
The question asks Moffat County voters if they want to prohibit dispensaries and other similar operations in unincorporated parts of the county.
The question considers banning operations allowing the distribution and cultivation of Medical Cannabis such as Medical Cannabis centers, optional premises cultivation operations, and Medical Cannabis-infused products manufacturers’ licenses.
Commissioner Audrey Danner called the approved ballot measure a place-holder and that the county could decide to pull the measure before the election.
This will give the citizens a chance to understand what we are learning about it and following what is happening in this state, But, I am very clear that I am still considering whether we should put this on the ballot, stated Commissioner Audrey Danner.
The commission met with county attorney Jeremy Snow, who drafted the ballot measure, to discuss the measure and Medical Cannabis rules and regulations being developed at the state level.
Snow recommended the commission approve the measure, considering it could be changed or removed in the future.
You could still change your mind at this point, but it will be harder to not do this now, than if you want to do it later.
The commission has until Sept. 3 to change or Oct. 6 to withdraw the ballot measure.
I like having a resolution with the ballot question, so that the citizens really know what we are talking about with this because there is confusion already of, well, the voters voted on this at the state, Danner said. We voted on other topics related to Medical Cannabis.
On June 10, the commission extended its moratorium on dispensaries in unincorporated parts of the county for six months.
At the time, the commission extended the moratorium to wait and see what rules and regulations were developed from Colorado House Bill 10-1284.
The bill, which Governor Bill Ritter signed June 7 and took effect July 1, gives local governments several options in controlling dispensaries including putting the matter before voters.
Commissioner Tom Mathers said he would consider pulling the measure from the ballot if the state were to release rules and regulations for Medical Cannabis dispensaries.
It’ll be a last minute deal, and should they not come out with any rules and regulations, I think we’ll have to just let the voters decide if they want it or if they don’t want it.
The commission has not drafted its own rules and regulations, because it doesn’t want to do the whole thing all over again, if its regulations don’t match state regulations.
At this time they have not heard any feedback on the issue from Moffat County residents.
Considering the lack of public input, putting the issue to the voters would be a solution in determining which way the commissioners should head, banning or regulating.
