“This is the only industry that I know of that is begging to be taxed. We want to be taxed.”
Robert Correy
Colorado Wellness Association
“Our economic development staff still gets more calls, inquiries on how to set up a dispensary than any other business, which is an amazing thing that is happening.”
- Charlie Brown
City Council Member
District 6
One of the fastest growing businesses in town - the dispensing of medical marijuana. A new proposal would help to regulate this burgeoning industry.
Starting December first, these medical marijuana dispensaries will have to start paying taxes, but the industry did not object to that. It also agreed with many, but not all, of the regulations proposed by Councilman Charlie Brown.
The proposal requires all Medical Marijuana Dispensaries obtain a license, and applicants would be subject to criminal background checks. Those with a criminal history of any felony or drug-related offense would be disqualified.
The dispensaries also must be secured and monitored, including using security cameras. Law enforcement would be allowed access to security records on demand – but this raised questions of patient privacy.
If I have to have all these cameras there and documentation, I’m thinking from the terms of the patient who doesn’t really need to be on camera all the time, what expectation of privacy for a medical situation should I be able to have?”
- Jeanne Faatz
City Council Member
District 2
Councilman Brown explained the need for cameras…
“To see who’s purchasing the product, and to see as much as we can what is being sold to whom. I think in studying other states that’s pretty basic.”
- Charlie Brown
City Council Member
District 6
“This is first and foremost a medicine protected in our constitution and under federal law, HIPPA, by confidentiality. The patient is entitled to complete and absolute confidentiality if he wants it. So we can’t have cameras that are automatically turned over to law enforcement that is unconstitutional.”
Robert Correy
Colorado Wellness Association
The proposed regulations would also prohibit dispensaries in residential zones, and within 500 feet from schools, child care facilities, and within 1000 feet of another dispensary. All mobile sales would be strictly prohibited. Marijuana in prepared food would also be regulated. And, on-site consumption of marijuana would be prohibited.
Councilman Brown also made it clear the City would not pit itself against Federal marijuana laws; for him, the most important part of the proposal.
“Anything we do as a City Council anything we do as the City and County of Denver, if we approve a regulatory scheme here, that nothing in this ordinance would give someone a shield if you will, that they can hide behind if the Federal government moves in a different direction.”
Brown
“We do not need government to step up and become the HMO of the 21st century in the denying of proper care or regulating care, or deciding care or questioning the capabilities of a physician.”
Bob Hagedorn
Colorado Wellness Association
“More importantly than the legal issue, this is a life or death issue for Coloradans, for your constituents, for people who live in Denver.”
Robert Correy
Colorado Wellness Association
The Safety committee will discuss the proposal again on December 2nd, and hopes to make a decision at that time. If it goes on to full Council, a courtesy public hearing will be scheduled and limited to 1 hour. Councilman Brown blatantly urged any opposition to organize, as Council will strictly enforce the 1 hour limit. Colorado voters approved the use of medical marijuana in the year 2000.
New Zoning Code - New Concerns
The new zoning code is in its third draft – but it’s not finished yet. Denver City Council hopes to pass the new code in the next month or so. This week came a last chance for the public to put their views in front of both the Council and Planning Board – That came in the form of two Public Listening sessions.
People from various neighborhoods all over Denver showed up to share their concerns with those decision makers about code changes that might impact their neighborhoods.
Their concerns ranged from potential changes in solar access, to parks.
In the case of solar power, several homeowners asked to preserve the rights to generate their own power and contribute to the power grid in Denver, which might be threatened by their neighbor’s rights to build higher and taller. .
“Up until now the zoning committee has considered mainly the right to develop one’s property to the maximum, the zoning committee must also consider the rights of Denver homeowners to use free and widely available sunlight to heat and cool our homes passively, gen hot water electricity grow our food and power our cars… in addition, must protect the viability of the legal solar reward contracts that we have entered into with Xcel energy.”
“I put up solar voltaic panels and had great results the first year and then through the activities of my neighbors I lost nearly 30% of the output.”
Other homeowners are concerned about zoning designations - that may have the potential to compromise the integrity of historic neighborhoods in the form of over-zealous building.
One example – a new GMU-5 designation which would allow five story structures in some neighborhoods.
“Do you know what that does, that gives me the opportunity to level my home, level my garage, tear up my garden and build a 5 story condominium unit overlooking Cheeseman Park, it would be beautiful. How many millions could I make doing that? Singlehandedly I could destroy my block."
The final draft is expected before council before the end of the year for implementation by February 2010.
Buy Local Shopping Season
One might more precisely refer to the upcoming holidays as the “Shopping Season’. And if you did, the Mile High Business Alliance wouldn’t disagree – as they kick off the Third Annual Buy Local Week.
The goal is to encourage Denver shoppers to buy their holiday purchases in local and locally-owned stores rather than on the internet - or make shopping trips outside the city.
By shifting just 10-percent of the region’s holiday spending to local companies, residents could generate three billion dollars in the Colorado economy in just two months. – and it keeps money circulating in our community rather than to other states.
Each dollar spent here will circulate at least three times before leaving the state – giving a boost to jobs and tax revenues.
The Third Annual Buy Local Week kickoff is a free event on Saturday, November 28th – at Swallow Hill Music Association at 71 East Yale - at 6:00 p.m. – featuring a live auction of items from local businesses - and the release of the 2009 Buy local Shopping guide which offers special discounts.
There is even more information online at Colorado Local First.com - including a message from Mayor John Hickenlooper about the benefits of supporting local businesses…
“The more people are involved in the community, connected to their suppliers and their customers, the more successful they are.”
- John Hickenlooper
Mayor
City of Denver
Gateway Art
A new sculpture becomes the gateway to the Morrison Road and Sheridan Boulevard streetscape. The piece is called Un Corrido Para Gente – by artist Carlos Frequez. It’s inspired by the items you might find in…
The nearby neighborhood shops of the Mercado district. The oversized guitar, topped by a wheel and a crown – connects to a sculpture of a shovel by a string of Mexican banners.. swinging in the breeze.
Carlos Fresquez is a Denver native, who studied at both the Metropolitan State College of Denver and the University of Colorado, Boulder. – and has exhibited his work in at least 25 states, and eight countries.
You can learn more about his inspiration for the sculpture by calling 1-800-DEN-ARTS
2009 Mayor's Design Awards
From a remodeled classic airplane hanger, to some of Denver’s private residences… the Mayors’ Design Awards celebrate architectural design excellence on a smaller scale.
“The big projects, however beautiful and important aren’t necessarily what create the fabric of our communities and I think we are, our lives are just as enriched from many discreet and beautifully designed smaller projects as they are by bold civic gestures.”
- John Hickenlooper
Mayor
City of Denver
In addition to having good design, some of this year’s award recipients were also good for the local economy.
One example was Root Down, which took a 1950’s service station and turned it into one of Denver’s most popular restaurants… – and created 60 jobs in the process.
“Denver is vested, in my opinion, in the success of its businesses. And I experienced that first hand with the Office of Economic Development to that was an integral part to make this happen. So thank you Office of Economic Development, there at the critical time when I don’t even think I would lend myself money.”
Justin Cucci
Root Down
Altogether, there were 15 recipients of this year’s awards.
“Tonight’s winners are shining examples of the often times, discreet ways that good design enhances our neighborhoods.”
- John Hickenlooper
Mayor
City of Denver
The 2009 Mayor’s Design Awards was the fifth annual, and was held last week at the L2 Design Center.