Because cannabis dispensaries and other peripheral operations such as testing and grow facilities were banned in Bayfield, and because the fact that cannabis remains a legal product within the State of Colorado, when some town residents approached the town board this spring and asked for a reconsideration of the ban, there was enough support to move the issue forward.
It has been repeatedly noted that voters in precincts 20 and 26 cast ballots in favor of both medicinal and recreational marijuana when the questions were first presented on the Colorado ballot.
With residents asking for reconsideration and making sound arguments as to why, it was decided that further action was warranted.
The course of action agreed to was to put the question to voters on the November General Election Ballot.
There will be a number of questions on the November General Election ballot. Aware that participation in the November General Election is higher than town elections in April, the town board has decided to ask a number of questions of residents about town matters. At least two will also be included to deal with the marijuana issue specifically. The first of those will address the policy ban now in place and ask voters whether to allow either medical marijuana or recreational marijuana dispensaries in Bayfield corporate limits.
A second question will also be asked to allow for the imposition of taxes on the products sold as part of the ordinance that would be enacted regulating medical and retail marijuana businesses in the event of the passage of the first question. Once the ordinance is completely crafted, specifics of the proposal will be available through the town's website.
Obviously, there are divergent viewpoints on the issue. But listening to people speaking about a topic in a public forum is not always the best way to gauge the broad support or opposition to any issue. My experience has shown that people willing to speak against an issue with passion are more likely to attend a meeting and speak than those who are generally for an issue. The marijuana question in Bayfield is no different.
In fact, people who are in favor of cannabis dispensaries often times will not say so in a public meeting for fear of being ostracized by their neighbors and others in the community. The forum in January was no different. Despite some measured support, the opposition was strong, organized, and vocal.
Many arguments against were based on false equivalencies, personal prejudice, or information that was irrelevant to the question at hand.
Those who are in favor often would prefer anonymity, something they have and will continue to enjoy.
Certainly an arbitrary decision rescinding the current policy could have been made which banned dispensaries to begin with. But after discussion by the town board, it was agreed allowing Bayfield voters to make the decision is the most prudent course of action.
Bayfield residents shop elsewhere for goods and services and the amount of "tax leakage" as a result is substantial despite the town having policies which encourage businesses to locate here. Continuing an outright ban on marijuana dispensaries or grow facilities runs counter to that notion.
Bayfield supports two liquor stores so certainly it would seem there is a market for a dispensary. Mancos has four dispensaries along with three liquor outlets just as a point for comparison and the revenues are substantial.
Revenues earned from dispensaries by the town would go into the general fund but could be used to leverage other available funding for projects that would benefit the community.
Lottery money for improving parks and recreation is available every year but requires matching funds from the applicants. Bayfield has always struggled in finding matching funds and this is one more possibility.
The study suggests that the town might see a benefit of $150,000 to $250,000 depending on the actual taxes and fees assessed. That could leverage up to $1 million depending on the match required. And there is always money dedicated to educational efforts.
The time is right for the town's residents to vote on the marijuana dispensary question. And it wouldn't be proper to ask any other tax questions without acting on this one first.
Dave Black
Bayfield
Editor's note: Dave Black is a trustee on the Bayfield Town Board. He is not speaking for any other member of the board or town administration in this letter.
