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Montrose Adopts Moratorium Against Marijuana Shops

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Dec 4, 2012 at 11:50 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 4, 2012 at 11:50 PM MDT

MONTROSE, Colo. - Amendment 64 has local governments around the state looking into whether or not they want to allow commercial selling of recreational marijuana.

On Tuesday, the city of Montrose decided against it, for now.

Montrose's city council approved the moratorium against applications for marijuana shops, which will deny anyone seeking a license to open up a store.

The moratorium only lasts for the next 6 months; it will expire before the deadline that each municipality has to permanently decide on whether or not to allow the sale of recreational marijuana within its district. Per Amendment 64, that deadline is July of 2013.

Mayor of Montrose, Thomas Smits, says the council is being proactive by enacting the moratorium now.

"Consideration of the moratorium would allow the council to put regulations in place to protect the city and it's residents if indeed the court does not appeal the state constitution, if it goes to a federal level. But really, it's buying us time until our state legislature and other bodies determine how they're going to enact this particular vote by the people," Smits explained.

Tuesday's final decision was made after the city sought input from the public in meetings, as well as based on the city's election results for Amendment 64. Data shows a majority of residents voted against it.

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In The Know said on Wednesday, Dec 5 at 9:59 PM

Wow so many people upset over pot, If only we could get this people engaged about the direction and disaster the country is going. Oh wait a minute you all are to worried about getting high. With the masses drugged it should be real easy for the government to run all over each and everyone. Call me old fashioned but I think there are bigger problems to worry about instead of how you going to get you fix. So sad where is world is going.

Fugg said on Wednesday, Dec 5 at 5:27 PM

In the know, doesn't know. Not allowing a business within a muninipality is prohibition. From the word prohibit. However A64 allows cities and counties to make the decision. Its up to the voters to decide who the decision makers are.

In The Know said on Wednesday, Dec 5 at 7:41 AM

I guess all of the pot users in the area will have to go to the eastern slope, for their fix. If these small towns don't want the hassle and mess the pot shops bring, they should have that choice. And it's got nothing to do with prohibition all the users can still buy their pot elsewhere. I don't see a problem here.

Malcolm Kyle said on Wednesday, Dec 5 at 4:58 AM

Prohibition has finally run its course: Our prisons are full, our economy is in ruins, the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions of Americans have been destroyed or severely disrupted. What was once a shining beacon of liberty and prosperity has become a toxic, repressive, smoldering heap of hypocrisy and a gross affront to fundamental human decency. During alcohol prohibition in the 1920s, all profits went to enrich thugs and criminals. Young men died every day on inner-city streets while battling over turf. A fortune was wasted on enforcement that could have gone on treatment. On top of the budget-busting prosecution and incarceration costs, billions in taxes were lost. Finally the economy collapsed. Sound familiar?

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