Broomfield suspends med-pot ban, puts matter to voters
Broomfield suspends med-pot ban, puts matter to voters - Boulder Daily Camera
Broomfield suspends med-pot ban, puts matter to voters
By Michael Davidson Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 08/31/2010 09:24:31 PM MDT
BROOMFIELD -- Voters will have the final say over whether Broomfield will allow medical marijuana dispensaries and commercial growing operations, the City Council decided Tuesday night.
The council voted unanimously to suspend a controversial ordinance it passed July 27 banning medical marijuana businesses. It will now be up to Broomfield voters to ratify Ordinance 1928 or reject it.
The ordinance does not prevent medical marijuana use or limit the right of residents to grow it.
The council's action was the result of a petition drive organized by medical marijuana advocates. They collected the signatures of 1,240 registered Broomfield voters, falling 39 signatures short of the number needed to automatically suspend the measure pending an election.
City Council members decided to suspend the measure anyway, citing the likelihood the ordinance's opponents would hit the target in the 10-day period in which they are allowed to make up a shortfall.
Acting Tuesday also allowed Broomfield to put the issue on November's ballot. If the council waited until after Friday, the city would have missed the deadline for when measures can be added to the ballot. That could have led to a special election that Broomfield Clerk and Recorder Russ Ragsdale estimated could cost more than $53,000.
"We should really just put it on the ballot, rather than prolong the controversy," City Councilman Dennis McCloskey said.
Pam Gianola, the petition drive's organizer, said the decision might allow Broomfield to be a leader in passing sensible laws governing medical marijuana use.
"I do believe we could form a model for regulation and appropriate taxation," she said.
Gianola does not know what she will do to make her case to voters, saying she doesn't have money for mailings, signs or commercials.
"It will just be me on a soapbox," she said.
After suspending the measure, the City Council voted 8-2 to impose a moratorium on the licensing of dispensaries and growing operations. The moratorium will be in effect until next July and will give the city time to implement regulations if voters decide to allow medical marijuana businesses, City and County Attorney Bill Tuthill said.
Broomfield suspends med-pot ban, puts matter to voters
Broomfield suspends med-pot ban, puts matter to voters
