Where will you be able to buy recreational marijuana?
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - After a hectic election cycle where it looked as if voters would pass both a recreational marijuana ban and legalize the sale of recreational marijuana-- the smoke has cleared. Voters passed Ballot Measure 300 and thus legalized recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs.
But where would the shops be able to sell recreational marijuana?
RELATED: Recreational marijuana sales legalized in Colorado Springs, results still unofficial
The map above illustrates the one-mile zoning ordinance passed by the Colorado Springs City Council before the vote in September. The ordinance bans recreational marijuana sales within one mile of any school, daycare facility, or rehab center.
Colorado Springs City Council member Dave Donelson told KRDO13 Investigates over the weekend he thinks passing the zoning ordinance contributed to 2D's failure at the ballot box, "Sort of strategically, it's a mistake because I think voters like to make their own decision. They don't want it to look like [the] city council or anyone else is trying to interfere in their voting."
KRDO13 Investigates asked Colorado Springs city officials where stores would be able to set up shop and sell recreational marijuana. They said the City Clerk and City Attorney are looking into the matter but didn't have an answer as of Monday evening.
KRDO13 Investigates reached out to several Colorado Springs medical marijuana shops asking what their plans were for the gear up to sell recreationally. Many did not return our calls.
Meghan Graf, a spokesperson for Citizens for Responsible Marijuana Regulation gave this statement to KRDO13 Investigates:
“The small businesses who currently sell medical marijuana in Colorado Springs are elated to continue being good stewards of the community, contributing to the thriving economy that is Colorado Springs. We know that those in municipal government will defer to the clearly expressed intent of voters to authorize recreational marijuana, and we look forward to working with city leaders over the coming months to create a responsible regulatory framework."
The one-mile zoning ordinance
Colorado Springs Planning Director Kevin Walker made a presentation to the Colorado Springs City Council ahead of their first vote on the rule on September 24.
During the presentation, Walker told the City Council the Colorado Springs City Planning Commission voted 7-1 to recommend City Council denies the zoning ordinance.
During the meeting, council member Nancy Henjum asked, "Is there additional evidence that demonstrates that a mile is better than 1000ft?"
"None that was presented to [the] planning commission," Walker replied.
Henjum was one of two 'no' votes on the ordinance.
Minutes later in the meeting, council member Brian Risley acknowledged there was no scientific basis for the one-mile rule, or the 1,000ft rule either. "This is about trying to protect sensitive populations from what has been demonstrated to be, dangerous and and difficult to regulate and monitor," Risley said during the September meeting.
1,000 feet away from any daycare, school, or rehab facility is the current requirement for medical marijuana stores and was one of the restrictions laid out in question 300 which voters approved at the ballot box.
Watch the city council meeting here. [Discussion of marijuana rule starts at 1:10:10]
