Medical Marijuana

The issue of allowing medical marijuana dispensaries was discussed in tonight’s Greeley City Council meeting. There were very strong opinions for each side of the argument. The people in support of having dispensaries in Greeley argued that medical marijuana is a good alternative to other pain medication and that by not having a dispensary in Greeley, the city is missing out on tax revenue. Richard Present, owner of Nature's Medicine, a medical marijuana dispensary, said, “The industry is not going away. It is getting stronger and stronger by the day.” Present suggested the tax revenue collected from dispensaries could assist in aiding the 2010 Greeley city budget. Drew McNeil also owns a dispensary. He said the people wanting to open these businesses want to provide a service and they are more than happy to pay the taxes. A Greeley resident gave a personal testimonial for medical marijuana. Her husband was in a car accident and as a result, became addicted to prescription pain medication. They then considered alternative medication and it has worked much better for him.

There were also many people opposed to permitting dispensaries in Greeley. Council Member Ed Phillipsen said there are many dangers to the use of marijuana. He said, “There is no way of knowing or controlling the THC levels in marijuana.” He argued that it is addictive and that someone can overdose on it. A Greeley resident added, “I am completely against it and, if you do pass it, tax it to the max.”

The ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries in Greeley was passed in a vote of six to one.