Pot dispensaries discussed at local council, county meetings

Like many local governments across the state, Douglas County and area municipalities are pondering the hazy issue of medical marijuana dispensaries.

The recent announcement by the Obama administration that the federal government would not go after growers and suppliers working within the laws of their respective states has sparked a number of inquiries as to where marijuana dispensaries are allowed.

In 2000, Colorado voters passed Amendment 20, which allows caregivers to provide medical marijuana to patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions who have state-issued registry cards.

Under George W. Bush, however, marijuana dispensaries could not operate out in the open without fear of federal prosecution, so the industry remained underground, said Dr. Eric Hatch, a chiropractor and owner of the Hatch Wellness Center in Highlands Ranch.

Hatch has been operating a dispensary out of his clinic for about four months and provides medical cannabis to more than 200 patients on the state registry. And that number continues to grow, he said.

"We are a doctor's office, first and foremost," Hatch said. "One of the things we happen to do is provide a dispensary."

Under Amendment 20, the rules and regulations governing dispensaries are fuzzy. It is unclear if the state will clarify the rules during the next legislative session, which leaves local governments to decide what to do.

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Oct. 20 to place a six-month moratorium on the opening of medical marijuana dispensaries or growing operations in the unincorporated areas of the county. The moratorium will allow the county to establish zoning regulations for dispensaries.

Parker Town Council pondered a similar moratorium last week but rejected the idea. Dispensaries remain illegal under town code as a public nuisance and criminal violation.

"The medical marijuana dispensary issue is very much a legislative ruse to allow drugs into our community," Parker resident Dale Lyman said during the meeting. "Marijuana is the edge of criminality."

On Tuesday, Castle Rock Town Council, which allowed dispensaries under the classification of a pharmacy, considered a temporary moratorium on dispensaries in order to develop regulations. Council made the decision to ban all medical marijuana businesses.

During a discussion on the topic last week, many medical marijuana users came forward to share with town council how the medication has improved their lives.

Castle Rock resident Amber Ostrum said due to medical marijuana, she no longer suffers epileptic seizures. She recently received a business license to open a dispensary and holistic wellness center across from town hall.

"Amendment 20 was written with the ability to service people like myself, as well as people with much more debilitating conditions than mine, like AIDS and cancer," she said.

Hatch said the No. 1 reason people seek medical marijuana is to cope with chronic pain. He said he has helped many patients get off prescription painkillers.

Through organizations such as the Colorado Patients and Providers Collective, caregivers and patients are banding together to shape the future of the industry, Hatch said.

He said he wants all patients to be able to get their medicine in a safe, professional setting, under a doctor's guidance.

"We want regulations. We want to be invited to the table to help write them," Hatch said. "Let's clean this up, do it the right way."

Erin Feese: 303-954-2953 or feesee@yourhub.com