The Durango City Council approved a 60-day moratorium on new medical and retail marijuana business Tuesday evening.
The moratorium will give the councilors time to review where the businesses are allowed and how current marijuana regulations are functioning.
Mayor Christina Rinderle’s request for a moratorium was prompted by La Patronas, a marijuana shop that plans to open at Main Avenue and west 10th Street, near El Rancho and the Colorado Grow Co.
Councilors previously agreed the moratorium was warranted because they believed the land-use code prohibited marijuana shops on side streets adjacent to existing stores.
But La Patronas showed that was not the case. Several neighbors wrote to city staff members because they were concerned about two shops opening so close to together.
However, John Menzies, owner of Animas Herbal Wellness Center, opposed the moratorium.
“I think that’s something that wouldn’t happen to any other industry except the marijuana industry,” he said.
He also pointed out the city prevented retail marijuana businesses from opening for several months in 2014 to allow for rules to be reviewed.
“As opposed to opening in January, we were able to open in October,” he said.
Rinderle said she understood his concern because he may need to move, and the city is willing to work with him.
“That is a conversation specifically with your business we are willing to have,” she said.
It is also possible the moratorium may not last for a full 60 days, she said.
The moratorium will not apply to La Patronas, which has already been approved by city staff members, and it must now receive its local license.
The moratorium will cover downtown, north Main Avenue to the city limits, Camino del Rio adjacent to downtown, College Drive to East Eighth Avenue.
It will also cover East Eighth Avenue to Colorado Highway 3 and U.S. Highway 160 west from the intersection of U.S. Highway 550/160 to the edge of town.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
Poll: Do you support the Durango City Council’s 60-day moratorium on new medical and retail marijuana businesses?
Yes - 577 - 60.55%
No - 376 - 39.45%
