Medical marijuana dispensary ban moving forward in Dacono

Last month, we told you that the Dacono City Council was looking at banning medical marijuana centers, grows and edibles/infused product manufacturing. The idea gained plenty of traction, and last night the tiny town north of Denver took the first step toward prohibiting all cannabis-related businesses within city limits...

By William Breathes

May 15, 2012

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Last month, we told you that the Dacono City Council was looking at banning medical marijuana centers, grows and edibles/infused product manufacturing. The idea gained plenty of traction, and last night the tiny town north of Denver took the first step toward prohibiting all cannabis-related businesses within city limits.

In its regular meeting last night, Dacono City Council voted 4 to 2 in favor of the ban.

Dacono followed the state's lead and has been operating under a temporary moratorium on new medical marijuana businesses since July 2010. However, that edict ends along with the state's on July 1.

Currently, there are three dispensaries in Dacono. With nearby towns like Frederick, Firestone, Loveland and Longmont enacting local bans over the last year, Dacono councilwoman Peggy Randolf has said her town has become known as "Marijuana Town."

The idea that more shops might open in the eight square-mile town of around 4,150 residents -- along with complaints Councilman Joe Baker says he receives regularly about the existing shops -- prompted council to consider the ban, which would call for the closure of the three existing dispensaries.

Dacono Meds owner Brad Henson feels the ban is targeted at his business. Henson says complaints began coming in as soon as he put up a sign advertising his business.

Mayor Charles Sigman has said that he would prefer a deadline sometime in December to give the shops time to shut down operations and possibly find a new location. Calls to Sigman and council members have not been returned.

The ban now requires one more council vote to be approved. The group meets next at 6 p.m. June 11.

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