Pueblo City Council votes against licensing retail pot shops

Recreational marijuana stores will not be opening in Pueblo — at least not anytime soon.

Pueblo City Council voted 6 to 1 against licensing the stores. Bob Schilling was the sole “yes” vote.

Council plans to put a question on the ballot in November to ask voters if they want pot shops in the city. The council chamber was standing room only Monday night ahead of the vote. Many people wore bright-colored yellow shirts that read- “Pueblo: Voice Your Choice.” Former state Sen. George Rivera (R-Pueblo) and former state House candidate Brian Mater encouraged council to put the question before the voters.

Dr. Michael Growney, a local physician who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, told council he’s seen an increase in the number of pregnant women he treats at the hospital who use marijuana during their pregnancy.

“As a taxpayer, I don’t see how the revenue that this is going to potentially bring in could even begin to touch the amount of social services that is required to clean up the mess that we see on labor and delivery and in the NICU,” Growney said.

Rick Hooper, general manager of The Spot in Pueblo West, told KRDO NewsChannel 13 he was somewhat disappointed with council’s decision. He hopes to someday open a store in the city.

“Part of me is disappointed. Part of me is OK with it because I really believe that the people should vote and the reason why I believe this is because it was passed before in Amendment 64 and it’s going to get passed again,” Hooper said.

Also during the meeting, council approved a $14.4 million loan to the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority to expand the Pueblo Convention Center. The money comes from taxes generated through the half-cent sales tax.