Pueblo politicians differ on cannabis smoking lounges
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Starting with the new year, HB1240 goes into effect, basically making marijuana smoking lounges legal in the state.
The bill was passed by the Colorado State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Polis earlier this year. However, cities and counties in Colorado will have to decide for themselves whether or not to make marijuana lounges.
Pueblo County was one of the first municipalities to allow recreational cannabis in Colorado, but will it embrace marijuana smoking lounges? Politicians in the county and city are split on this issue.
County Commissioner Garrison Ortiz opposes the idea, pointing to health concerns and public safety concerns like smoking and driving.
On the other hand, the city of Pueblo may view things differently. Mayor Nick Gradisar tells KRDO he’s open to cannabis lounges in Pueblo, believing it could provide a huge boost to tourism.
Cannabis experts in Pueblo County tell KRDO this bill would give folks coming from out of town a safe place to light up for the first time in Pueblo County.
“There’s been no place to consume legally -- you can’t do it outdoors, you can’t do it in your car, so I think we have to give the state a lot of credit they actually put some rules in place to solve that issue,” said Jim Parco, owner of the recreational cannabis dispensary Mesa Organics.
The dispensary owner in pueblo county says this new legislation will allow the cannabis industry in Colorado to evolve.
“Anybody who is a tourist company, a food establishment, somebody in the hospitality tourist industry can now apply for marijuana licensing,” said Parco.
However, Parco isn’t ready to apply for a license to operate a lounge just yet. Despite the bill allowing dispensaries to 'add on' to their existing dispensary to create a lounge, the owner doesn't believe his business right for that sort of venture.
Also, Parco has his own concerns when it comes to public safety— specifically smoking and driving and how it is enforced by law enforcement.
“I think there are a lot of benefits but there are also some questions that need to be addressed," said Parco. "I think taking a wait and see approach is also prudent.”
Pueblo County passed the Smoke Free Air Act in 2002, prohibiting smoking in private businesses' buildings. However, local politicians disagree on whether the law applies to cannabis or just tobacco products.
