Manitou mayor says no negative impact from retail pot

There has been no negative impact in Manitou Springs since the opening of the town’s first retail marijuana store, according to the city’s mayor.

Maggie’s Farm has been in business for more than two months. It is the only retail marijuana shop in El Paso County.

Mayor Marc Snyder said comparing the crime rates of August and September of 2013 to those of this year, there was a 16.7 percent decrease in marijuana-related calls for service and a 45 percent decrease in marijuana-related arrests.

“Admittedly, that can be a small sample size, but it’s a very encouraging trend,” Snyder said. “My police department also reports that any type of black market drug activity in and around our Soda Springs Park has pretty much gone away.”

Snyder also said there has been an increase in business at the Loaf ‘n Jug next to Maggie’s Farm.

Opponents see differently.

“We have a lot more panhandling, we have transients,” said Tim Haas, who has led the effort to ban retail marijuana in Manitou Springs. “A lot of people that are coming to town are noticing a difference, and that difference is significant enough that they’re going to reconsider whether they come and visit again.”

Supporters of retail marijuana don’t think that’s the case.

“Manitou has always been a place of diversity, and openness, and eccentric and we’ve also been a town of pioneers and trying new things,” said Dean Frankmore, co-chair of the Keep Manitou Open – No On 2G campaign.

Voters will decide whether or not to ban retail marijuana in Manitou Springs in November’s election. It is question 2G on the ballot.