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Fruita Officials Looking to Ban Private Cannabis Clubs

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Jan 14, 2013 at 2:05 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 14, 2013 at 8:36 PM MDT

FRUITA, Colo.- Fruita city officials are taking proactive steps to temporarily prevent private cannabis clubs from developing in their town. On Tuesday city council members will vote on an emergency moratorium that will immediately block these types of clubs if passed.

Fruita officials say they were quick to regulate medical marijuana and want to stay ahead of the curve with Amendment 64.

Clint Kinney, city manager of Fruita, said, "Retail stores cannot open until Jan. 14 but in different cities around the state they've experienced different kinds of private clubs opening."

One of the owners of Suds Bros Brewery, Rochelle Tufly, said, "I'm really not for having a place in Fruita, but ya know I know that it's legal now in the state and it could happen."

Club 64 in Denver is an example of what Fruita officials don't want sprouting up in their city any time soon. Members pay a 30-dollar fee and can bring their own marijuana to smoke with peers

Kinney said, "When we saw this issue with the private clubs we thought in order to stay with what we think are the needs of the community we would address this. Fundamentally, if everything is to pass as we expect it to, there will be a moratorium at least until Oct. 1."

However, Fruita officials say they're open to rehashing the issue once they get all the facts, "But until we have the state regulations in place, we thought it would be best to hold off on any of these clubs or stores opening. What we're doing with this ordinance is buying time to make sure we've got the ability to do that analysis," said Kinney.

However, some residents believe officials aren't buying time for the right reasons.

Aaron Geske, a bartender at Suds Bros Brewery, said, "They're buying time so that they can get more people to be opposed to it rather than just trying to buy time to get more information on it. I think that they're just trying to get some more negative aspects of it rather than trying to listen to any good that can come from it."

City officials say they don't have an official stance on the issue and would like to hear from the public in the coming months. They also note that the they will not be losing potential money from sales because marijuana cannot be sold at these bars.

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Julia said on Tuesday, Jan 15 at 3:06 AM

Having four liquor stores is ok, but having one regulated store that sells marijuana products to adults over 21, that's not ok. All they're going to do is push it underground and let the dealers have full control again to sell to those under 21. So you think people aren't going to smoke it just because there are no stores? No, they'll grow their own, and it will not be regulated or taxed. They will still get high and Fruita will loose out on much needed tax revenue. I love how people in my town walk around with blinders on. Remember, god made marijuana, man made liquor, who do you trust more?

Disgusted said on Tuesday, Jan 15 at 4:44 AM

Fruita has only 4 liquor stores? SHOCKING! :>)

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