Springs City Council approves moratorium on new recreational marijuana clubs

Colorado Springs City Council has approved a six-month moratorium on new recreational marijuana clubs in the city.

It’s one of two marijuana-related ordinances discussed Tuesday.

The moratorium on recreational clubs will last through March 22, 2016. Current marijuana clubs won’t be affected, but new clubs will not be allowed to open.

The moratorium was approved on a 7-2 vote. Council members Bill Murray and Helen Collins voted against it.

Council also approved a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana facilities, which would go from November 14, 2015 to May 13, 2016.

The moratorium was approved on a 5-4 vote. Council members Helen Collins, Jill Gaebler, Bill Murray and Tom Strand voted against it.

The moratorium would apply to new medical marijuana dispensaries, manufacturers of infused products and grows. Existing medical marijuana facilities would be allowed to stay open, but they wouldn’t be allowed to expand or change locations.

One Council member said the proposed moratorium came about because of new business models like “Gas and Grass,” a new business that will allow consumers to fill up their gas tanks and buy medical marijuana in one stop.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Council made a change to the proposed ordinance. The original allowed for an extension to the moratorium on medical marijuana facilities. The new version doesn’t give that option.

Tuesday was the first vote. Council will vote again in two weeks.