May 25, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Times "Does the county love Mary Jane?"

'FCL' here:

How about that arrrogance up in Aspen?  Thinking they can do anything they want with any drugs and the DEA will not come get them.

How's that working for PitCo and the City of Aspen?

Aspen Times Editorial:
"instead of deciding to leave each licensing case up to them. As Rachel Richards pointed out, the county's industry then would become politicized. The medical marijuana industry helps a lot of people in the community, and the last thing it needs is to fall victim to a highly charged atmosphere and petty public controversies —the sort that media entities and political opportunists love to get their hands on.

While we are confident that most commissioners will follow the direction the board set for itself earlier this week, we also might suggest that the county go no further than to issue licenses for a fee and pursue commonality with only what state law mandates. Some unincorporated communities in Pitkin County have expressed an interest in banning such businesses, whether dispensaries or grow houses or both, a move that would serve to pit villages and neighbors against one another — politicizing the process and further dividing the county.

The commissioners should officially approve this simple step of administrative control on licensing before July 1 and then turn away from the prospect of special zoning areas or village-by-village control of business locations. Current zoning allows for commercial and agricultural businesses, and the

marijuana-healing industry deserves the rights afforded to other U.S. small businesses.

Residents countywide should be of one mind on the issue and set another great local example for the rest of humankind. Bob Marley said it best: Let's get together and feel all right....."
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