City Council Minutes 2010 06 01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes June 1, 2010 Page 4 of 10 Mayor Sisk noted the municipalities pay higher fees than the County and suggested this be discussed by the committee. Ms. Lopitz promised to bring this matter before the steering committee. DISCUSSION /DIRECTION/ACTION REGULATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA Mayor Sisk requested a Staff presentation. Deputy City Manager Balser explained House Bill 1284 concerns the regulation of medical marijuana on a statewide basis. City Attorney Light prepared a memo summarizing the significant aspects of the bill and the implications of regulating Medical Marijuana. A significant piece of the legislation allows, either through a vote of the municipal electorate or by majority vote of the City Council, the prohibition of medical marijuana centers, optional premises cultivation operations and medical marijuana infused products manufacturers' licenses. Staff requested Council direction on whether to pursue prohibition as provided in the bill, or to permit Medical Marijuana Centers to be licensed in Louisville as also provided in the bill. If Council decides to permit MMCs to be licensed, Staff requested some direction on adopting regulatory elements. The Planning Staff prepared a matrix on regulations adopted by other cities along the Front Range, which shows Staff's recommendations on regulatory elements to the City's code should Council decide to permit MMC licensing. The Planning Staff also prepared a map showing 500 foot and 1,000 foot separations from all schools and day care uses. HB 1284 requires as of September 1, 2010, each Medical Marijuana Center must certify it cultivates at least 70% of the medical marijuana necessary for its operation. If Council decides to permit MMC licensing in Louisville, it will involve permitting some sort of grow operation. Staff recommended limiting cultivation to indoors only, along with the other regulatory elements listed in the matrix. The City's current moratorium expires on August 15, 2010. The City could further extend its moratorium to allow time for study and determination of a course of action. Additionally, should the City desire to pursue licensing requirements, more time may be required for drafting of regulations as a proposed ordinance would need to be adopted by Council in July for implementation before the current moratorium expires. PUBLIC COMMENTS Laurel Alterman, AlterMeds Center, explained her business employs four people and paid $2,771 in sales tax to the City for the month of April. AlterMeds serves 117 Louisville residents, but also has clients from Superior, Broomfield, Thornton and Boulder and the business continues to grow each month. She addressed House Bill 1284, which stipulates Medical Marijuana Centers must certify they cultivate at least 70% of the medical marijuana necessary for their operation. It was her intention to file