Sometimes it is necessary to step back and consider just where you are. The Durango City Council is rightly doing that in regards to the downtown locations of medical and recreational marijuana retail locations.
After legal marijuana retailing arrived thanks to Colorado voters, the council adopted in June 2014 as part of its regulations a one-per-block limitation to prevent a string of outlets side by side which would challenge the desirable mix of retail stores and professional offices that exists on Main Avenue. No “green mile,” which has occurred in at least one Colorado community.
The we-better-look-at-this moment arrived with the permit approval of a recreational outlet on a cross street, just off Main Avenue.
While not on Main, its location in terms of distance is not far from another outlet. It would do no good to limit locations on Main Avenue just to see locations close by on cross streets. Eighteen licenses for medical marijuana centers and retail marijuana establishments in the city have been approved so far.
The moratorium extends through Feb. 3, 2017, which is the allowed 60-day duration for a moratorium.
While proximity triggered the review, there is also a desire at the same time to take a current look at the marijuana industry and its impacts “on the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and businesses of the City,” as stated in the council’s action. Expect there to be a public input session and a public comment period.
The outcome of the review of license requirements is of course unknown, but the council has shown some flexibility in the past. Medical and retail outlets (they cannot be combined in one location by state law) in the alley between Main Avenue and East Second Avenue in the 700 block were approved. One was considered as though it was on Main Avenue because the building it is in fronts on Main.
While the marijuana industry is young, Durango received just under $1 million in marijuana-related tax revenues in 2016. That amount is certain to be larger in 2017.
We applaud the council for wanting to shape the city’s regulations to allow the industry to prosper to the degree that consumers want, but in the context of the healthy and safe mixed retail environment that Durango is known for.
In the next few weeks, we should know what new concerns, if any, have arisen. And we will have a better idea as to how many retail outlets will be possible downtown.
