Residents who are allowed to purchase medical marijuana may have an easier time in finding facilities in Cortez.
On Tuesday night, the Cortez City Council approved a first reading regarding the removal of the cap on the number of medical marijuana centers, while setting a public hearing on the matter for July 24.
With almost no discussion, the council approved this by a 6-1 vote with council member Tom Butler in opposition.
Currently, the cap is set at three centers and the city is looking at doubling that number to six.
Before the council meeting and at a workshop meeting, city staff presented a map to show council members and then the public where medical marijuana centers would be allowed.
During Tuesday night’s workshop prior to the city council meeting, City Manager Shane Hale told the council the city could possibly add three more centers for a total of six if “all of the stars aligned.”
He also said that the council had four such applications for them to consider.
In the council meeting, councilors continued the review of two potential medical marijuana centers — True Earth Medicine and The Herbal Alternative.
C.J. Murphy told the council he plans to open up True Earth Medicine LLC. at 302 N. Broadway.
He said he had yet to file an application because he wanted to first hear from the council on Tuesday night.
The Herbal Alternative is planning to open at 1537 Lebanon St. It is looking at opening soon.
Hale called this building an impressive facility and state of the art.
While the owners wanted to obtain council approval to move forward immediately, City Attorney Mike Green said it would be “cleaner” not to approve either one of them until the cap was raised.
He also wanted to have the written finding before the council approved another medical marijuana center, and Hale said the city would know the written findings in two weeks or at the July 24 meeting.
Reach Michael Maresh at [email protected]
