Agenda Date: 05/17/2016
Subject:
Title
An ordinance concerning the regulation and licensing of retail marijuana establishments
Body
Presented By:
Kristin Schledorn, City Attorney
POLICY QUESTION:
Does city council support the regulation and licensing of retail marijuana stores?
BACKGROUND:
On April 6, 2016, city council held a study session to discuss retail marijuana licensing. At that study session, council directed staff to bring forward an ordinance to allow retail marijuana stores in the City of Littleton.
The Colorado Constitution (Article XVIII, Section 16) permits adults over the age of 21 to purchase, use, possess and cultivate limited amounts of marijuana and allows local governments to prohibit retail marijuana establishments, to adopt regulations governing the time, place, manner and number of establishments, and to establish licensing procedures and operating fees.
In July 2014, city council approved Ordinance 13-2014, which prohibits retail marijuana establishments in the city (codified in City Code ? 3-21-2).
STAFF ANALYSIS:
There are four types of retail marijuana establishments that may be licensed under Colorado law. This ordinance only allows the licensing of retail marijuana stores, and as proposed, provides that the city's four medical marijuana centers could either: (1) apply for a retail marijuana store license, in addition to its medical marijuana center license; or (2) apply for a retail marijuana store license and surrender its medical marijuana center license.
The number of locations would remain limited to four, and the total combined floor area would remain limited to 2,000 square feet. The regulations concerning security requirements, hours of operation, application process, etc., are the same as, or similar to, those for medical marijuana centers.
There are several areas highlighted for council consideration in the attached ordinance.
1. Dual Licensing. Three alternatives are presented for council consideration: ...
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