Snyder: City "Leaning" Towards Pot Retail Sales; "Considerations" To Be Addressed

Recently, Manitou Springs mayor Marc Snyder went on public record as stating the city council is “leaning towards” legalizing retail sales of cannabis. Snyder also stated there were “considerations” and “some type of licensing” that had to be addressed as the city moves towards the legal, commercial selling of marijuana products.

Some of the considerations Snyder mentioned:

• How many shops to be allowed
• Where should pot shops be located
• How close to schools can pot shops be located
• How close to one another can pot shops be located

Snyder and the Manitou Springs city council may copy and apply existing city requirements for medical marijuana centers to retail marijuana sales centers (or pot shops).

Current requirements for medical marijuana dispensaries in Manitou Springs

“As measured from the property boundary, no medical  marijuana center shall be located within five hundred (500) feet of the following:

a. Any educational institution or school, either public or private;

b. Any licensed child care facility;

c. Any alcohol or drug rehabilitation facility

"As measured from the property boundary, no medical marijuana center shall be located within 200 feet of any existing medical marijuana business whether such business is located within or outside of the City."

Other requirements:

• No advertising signs of any kind is allowed on premises; signs cannot use the words “cannabis," “marijuana” and other phrases and words synonymous with marijuana.
• No shops in downtown area; can only be located in zones designated as commercial
• Security systems required.

• Security surveillance systems required.
• Robbery & burglary alarm systems required.
• Can be open only between 8:00am-7:00pm.
• On-site consumption of cannabis/marijuana prohibited.
• Secure safe to store/lock marijuana required.
• Background checks on all employees
• Must report new hires’ & their background checks to city

City council meets to discuss these considerations and more during a work session August 13 at City Hall (606 Manitou Avenue).