Commissioners lower fees for Pueblo marijuana dispensary owners

Pueblo County Commissioners compromised with marijuana dispensary owners Wednesday and voted to reduce fees for existing medical marijuana establishments after several complained the fees were too high and could drive them out of business.

Fees for renewing a license for a medical marijuana establishment and a medical grow operation were cut from $5,000 a year to $2,500, each. Commissioners also decided to cut an initially proposed fee of $5,000 for renewing a retail grow operation to $2,5000 a year.

Not all regulations for retail marijuana were finalized. Commissioners delayed a vote on zoning regulations for retail marijuana businesses. The rules under consideration include a 250 foot buffer zone from alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers, child care facilities, churches, group homes, halfway houses, religious institutions and other marijuana businesses.

After hearing opposition during a public comment session, the commissioners decided to table the vote until October 21, 2013.