Medical marijuana petition drive begins in Fort Collins

Drew Brown, co-owner of the Abundant Healing Medical Marijuana dispensary, thanks his supporters after the city shutdown marijuana dispensaries in February. Medical Marijuana proponents are launching a petition drive, asking voters to allow dispensaries back in the city. Coloradoan file photo

Written by Kevin Duggan

 Medical marijuana proponents have launched a petition drive that would take the issue of allowing marijuana businesses in Fort Collins back to voters.

The petition calls for enacting an ordinance that would repeal a ban on marijuana businesses that voters approved in November and establish a system to regulate new businesses that aligns with state law.


Petitioners have until June 19 to turn in the valid signatures of 4,214 registered city voters supporting the ordinance, officials said. If enough signatures are collected, the City Council could adopt the ordinance or place it on the Nov. 6 ballot for voters to decide.


The petition drive is a grass-roots effort made up primarily of volunteers who are former dispensary owners and medical marijuana patients, said organizer Kirk Scramstad.


"They definitely believe a regulated model is better than an unregulated, underground model," he said.
Getting enough signatures will be "an uphill battle" but it can be done, Scramstad said.

The proposed ordinance would be different from the city's former regulations in a couple of areas, including putting a cap on the number of marijuana businesses that would be allowed. The limit would be one shop for every 500 patients registered with state health department.

Larimer County has about 5,000 residents who hold state-issued cards that allow them to buy and possess marijuana for medicinal purposes, according to the health department. How many reside in Fort Collins is not clear.
Businesses could not be within 1,000 feet of a school or playground or 500 feet of a church, child care center or recreation facility, under the proposed ordinance.

Restrictions would be imposed on advertising for medical marijuana businesses, including a ban on placing ads within 1,000 feet of a school, park or recreation facility. The wording on signs could not promote the use of marijuana for recreation.

Some of the changes were in direct response to issues raised by marijuana opponents during the contentious campaign leading up to last year's vote.