Council to Address Spree of Local Cannabis Laws and Regulations
Rick Langenberg
A little more than five months ago, Cripple Creek citizens said “Absolutely, Yes,” to the idea of opening their community doors to retail marijuana, including recreational and medicinal shops, and possibly grow and manufacturing cannabis operations and even pot hospitality clubs.
By an overwhelming margin, voters approved a pro-marijuana ballot proposition, becoming the first town in Teller County to take this action, setting the stage for retail cannabis businesses to open in the Cripple Creek gaming community in the near future.
Now, following the issuing of a temporary time-out in the process, reality has set in for elected leaders who must get down to the nuts and bolts of unlocking the doors for future reefer businesses on a limited basis. In fact, the next month could go down as “Reefer Time in Cripple Creek,” with a clearer path getting finalized for the pre-license stage for future cannabis shops.
For months, the city has been actively exploring the rules and regulations used in a variety of Colorado communities that allow marijuana shops, including Alma, Breckenridge, Central City, Eagle, Idaho Springs, Manitou Springs, Nederland and Salida.
The clock is ticking for the city to finalize their rules and guidelines prior to the expiration of a city-imposed marijuana licensing moratorium, which ends around the time of Cripple Creek’s first council meeting in June….
