City Council Minutes 2013 07 16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes July 2, 2013 Page 19 of 25 Council member Loo noted Boulder is considering a proposal for high taxes on retail marijuana, which will bring more retail businesses to Louisville. She asked if this is what Louisville wants. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton felt the product was an intoxicant and should be regulated in the same manner as liquor. He recommended a distance requirement of 500'. Council member Yarnell supported more regulations be put in place on recreational marijuana and zoning regulations, but was unsure about a cap. Council member Jasiak agreed and stated she had no interest in Louisville becoming a destination site. She noted Louisville voters supported Amendment 64. Mayor Muckle stated recreational marijuana is a distorted market and supported a distance requirement of 1000'. Council member Loo favored zoning and ensuring it is not located near schools, pre- schools or parks and a cap on recreational marijuana. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton addressed the 500' distance requirement from schools and stated persons under 21 years of age cannot purchase marijuana and businesses would be penalized for selling to minors. Council member Loo felt this issue becomes a message from society and did not think it was a good idea. Council member Keany agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Dalton, but supported a distance requirement. City Attorney Light explained for liquor licenses there is no distance separation between establishments. The current medical marijuana ordinance does have a separation requirement. The City Council waived that requirement for the two existing establishments. He asked Council if the distance separation requirements for retail marijuana should be the same as the requirement for medical marijuana. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton felt the market would control the retail component. Council member Jasiak reported the state of Washington is considering legislation prohibiting retail marijuana business within 1000' of schools, pre- schools, libraries and parks. They did not limit the number of stores or how they would be geographically dispersed. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton supported the same regulations for recreational marijuana as there are for liquor licensing. Chief Goodman reported a representative from the US Attorney's Office has stated any separation from a school less than 1000' would be dealt with as an enforcement issue.