‘It’s essentially putting us out of business’: A Colorado Springs Group is concerned the city council could bypass marijuana ordinance

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -On Monday, city officials told 11 News that ballot question 300, a measure allowing medical marijuana businesses to sell the drug recreationally, is in its final stages of implementation.

But, the Colorado Cannabis Association says they are concerned with how zoning for the measure could be interpreted. According to the group, they believe the city council could refer to Ordinance 24-90 which requires businesses selling recreational marijuana to be one mile from childcare facilities and drug recovery centers, instead of the 1,000 feet specified in measure 300.

“We’ve spent a couple of years now and well over $1 million dollars getting the ballot initiative 300…And with the city council’s action to potentially replace the 1,000-foot buffer…to a mile is effectively a de facto ban. There’s almost no facilities in Colorado Springs or any locations where anybody would be able to legally operate,” said Tom Scudder, President of the Colorado Springs Cannabis Association(CSCA).

Ordinance 24-90 was passed before the election but CSCA says the ordinance overrides that previous measure. The group claims medical marijuana businesses have been declining, losing about 60% in revenue over the last 3 years.

City officials say the planning commission will finish drafting the code for the measure this week before sending it to the city council. The city council will then look over the code and hear from the public next week before approving or altering it.

11 News reached out to the Attorney’s Office for comment and details on the legality of city council being able to change the code on an ordinance.

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