The Fremont County Commissioners put into place temporary regulations dealing with medical marijuana dispensaries at their March 9th regular meeting. Commission Chairman Ed Norden said the temporary regulations were the result of two months of work by county staff and commissioners to put some type regulations into place while the Colorado Legislature debates statewide guidelines.
Four county residents briefly addressed the medical marijuana regulations. Several commented that the regulations seem appropriate by restricting locations within the county's business and rural highway business zones. Tom Doxey of Penrose spoke strongly against any regulations that would permit marijuana dispensaries warning about the dangers associated with marijuana use.
In addition to zoning restrictions the regulations also address minimum distances medical marijuana dispensaries must be from schools, parks, churches, and other dispensaries. The regulations also address signage for such shops. While the regulations prohibit marijuana dispensaries as home occupations in residential neighborhoods, they would permit a caregiver of marijuana patients to maintain enough of a supply of marijuana in their home to care for no more than three patients.
Because temporary regulations cannot be enacted for more than 30 days without a public hearing, the County Commissioners also set a public hearing date of April 13th at 10:00 a.m. to consider any changes and a possible extension of the regulations. County Attorney Brenda Jackson noted that it would then take additional time to review and propose permanent medical marijuana regulations which would require review by the Fremont County Planning Commission and another public hearing before the County Commissioners.
Commissioner Norden said a copy of the temporary regulations can be reviewed on the county's home web page at www.fremontco.com. He said comments can also be submitted in writing prior to the April 13th hearing. Commissioner Larry Lasha said a number of counties and cities are trying to cope with the sudden onslaught of medical marijuana dispensaries and are in need of some additional guidance from the legislature or some clarification from voters.
The Commissioners last Tuesday also heard Doug Shane of the Canon City Chamber of Commerce present the 2009 annual report from the Fremont County Tourism Council. Shane said that despite the economic downturn there was a drop of only $23 in revenue last year from the county's two percent lodging tax. Shane said the Tourism Council was also busy last year reviewing a study and recommendations for branding the area. He said the targeted branding message will be the 'Royal Gorge Region'.
In other business the Commissioners:
Four county residents briefly addressed the medical marijuana regulations. Several commented that the regulations seem appropriate by restricting locations within the county's business and rural highway business zones. Tom Doxey of Penrose spoke strongly against any regulations that would permit marijuana dispensaries warning about the dangers associated with marijuana use.
In addition to zoning restrictions the regulations also address minimum distances medical marijuana dispensaries must be from schools, parks, churches, and other dispensaries. The regulations also address signage for such shops. While the regulations prohibit marijuana dispensaries as home occupations in residential neighborhoods, they would permit a caregiver of marijuana patients to maintain enough of a supply of marijuana in their home to care for no more than three patients.
Because temporary regulations cannot be enacted for more than 30 days without a public hearing, the County Commissioners also set a public hearing date of April 13th at 10:00 a.m. to consider any changes and a possible extension of the regulations. County Attorney Brenda Jackson noted that it would then take additional time to review and propose permanent medical marijuana regulations which would require review by the Fremont County Planning Commission and another public hearing before the County Commissioners.
Commissioner Norden said a copy of the temporary regulations can be reviewed on the county's home web page at www.fremontco.com. He said comments can also be submitted in writing prior to the April 13th hearing. Commissioner Larry Lasha said a number of counties and cities are trying to cope with the sudden onslaught of medical marijuana dispensaries and are in need of some additional guidance from the legislature or some clarification from voters.
The Commissioners last Tuesday also heard Doug Shane of the Canon City Chamber of Commerce present the 2009 annual report from the Fremont County Tourism Council. Shane said that despite the economic downturn there was a drop of only $23 in revenue last year from the county's two percent lodging tax. Shane said the Tourism Council was also busy last year reviewing a study and recommendations for branding the area. He said the targeted branding message will be the 'Royal Gorge Region'.
In other business the Commissioners:
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Heard Mike Schnobrich discuss the Full Service Restorative Justice Program which is a non-profit group working with victims and the courts in the 11th Judicial District;
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Heard a plea from Jody Enderle of Fremont Search and Rescue for the county to fund $3,705 for the group's insurance costs in 2010. Enderle said the county's deep budget cuts forced the Sheriff to eliminate that line item in his budget. But with the all-volunteer group already paying for much of their own fuel, equipment, and training, the lack of money to pay insurance costs could put the future of the Search and Rescue group in jeopardy. County Manager George Sugars said the county should have an answer for the group in two weeks once the Commissioners examine the final budget numbers from 2009.