Marijuana task force challenged in third meeting
The Marijuana Task Force in Colorado Springs says it welcomes public feedback as it drafts a regulatory ordinance, but comments from one speaker raised eyebrows Friday.
Jason Warf, the executive director of the Southern Colorado Cannabis Council, a lobbying group representing the medical marijuana industry, spoke to the task force.
Warf expressed skepticism about a police presentation to the task force at its previous meeting, regarding apparent safety concerns and property damage from large marijuana grows in homes.
“I think the argument in court from our side, would be where is the danger to public safety?” he said. “Perceived fear of fire or anything is not actual evidence of the danger to public safety.”
Warf said many marijuana caregivers and patients are reluctant to speak publicly on the issue because of a fear of too much scrutiny and regulation.
Warf said he opposes an ordinance, proposed by the task force, that would tighten marijuana regulations in the city.
“To go further would violate Constitutional rights,” he said.
However, Warf said he supports a local registry of caregivers that would set them apart from people who may use the term “caregiver” as a front for illegal activity.
John Harding, a task force member, said the group is trying to balance individual rights with marijuana’s negative impacts on the community.
“Caregivers can grow dozens or hundreds of plants in homes, in neighborhoods,” he said. “It’s a manufacturing facility. There are those of us who believe a manufacturing facility doesn’t belong in the house next door.”
Wayne Schoenbauer, a homeowner, agrees.
“There’s a grow house in my neighborhood,” he said. “It could be raided by a gang, and we’re worried about a crime element there.”
According to the task force, the city has 84 marijuana dispensaries and 182 licensed marijuana grows.
The group has met three times and will meet again in two weeks. The goal is to present a finished draft of the ordinance to the City Council in March.
