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Council Flip-Flops On Marijuana Dispensaries
The City Council wants a public vote to decide but split on whether to allow
unregulated shops to be allowed to continue operating until the public decides
Regulatory Overview


November 2000
Colorado voters approve Amendment 20 to State
Constitution allowing for limited use of marijuana
for medical purposes

October 2009
President Obama's Attorney General, Eric
Holder, instructed federal prosecutes not to seek
charges against medical marijuana users in 14
states where some form of marijuana use is
allowed under state law.

June 2010
Governor Ritter signs into law regulations allowing
for the retail of marijuana in Colorado but allowing
local jurisdictions of "opt-out" by prohibiting the
for-profit distribution. see Denver Post article
Public Officials
(Kent Solt not listed but also
changed his vote)
Council Meeting
July 6, 2010
Unanimous to close until public
vote
Council Meeting
July 20, 2010
Voted 7-2 to remain open past
Nov. 2010 public vote
Mayor CecilGutierrez
"I am really ready to vote on
this..."[to stop current shops until a
public vote]
"I can support the opt-out as well."
Voted to allow dispensaries
to remain open until March 2011
Donna Rice
"We have the option to stop the
sale and cultivation of marijuana in
our city....
And I am at the point now where I
am tired of acting like this is a
serious issue.."
Voted to close dispensaries until the
community votes
Hugh McKean
 "Our role as leaders in this
community is to say we don't want
this in our community....we believe
in a wholesome community....so
Donna I am with you and support
opting out now."
"What we have in Loveland is not
legitimate businesses"
 Voted to close dispensaries until the
community votes
Larry Heckel
 "I kind of agree with Donna
also....I am wondering how many of
those folks needed marijuna...I
support you 110% on this issue.
Donna you opened the gate up and
I am going to follow you through
that gate."
"We need to try and get a handle
on things while we can get it."
Voted to allow dispensaries
to remain open until March 2011
Daryl Klassen
 Chief stands up here and tells us
the FDA, is this true, is still a
schedule 1 drug.....I wish loveland
opting out of this will prevent this
from happening..."
 Voted to allow dispensaries
to remain open until March 2011
Joan Shaffer
 "So I am actually comfortable with
the decision point you have
reached but I have different
reasons for it...
I am really rather offended by
members of the medical marijuana
community"
 Voted to allow dispensaries
to remain open until March 2011
Carol Johnson
 "I agree with Donna"
 Voted to allow dispensaries
to remain open until March 2011
Cat McEwen
 "Even though I had originally
probably been in favor of allowing
the clinics."
Stated she supported closing clinics
until city votes
 Voted to allow dispensaries
to remain open until March 2011
See July 23, 2010 Story
Council Wants A Public Vote