HomeMy WebLinkAboutConstituent Letter - Read Before Packet - 3/4/2014 - Letter From David May, Fort Collins Area Chamber Of Commerce, Re: Recreational Marijuana - Agenda Item #17March 1, 2014
Fort Collins City Council
300 LaPorte Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80521
Dear Mayor Weitkunat, Mayor Pro Tem Horak, and Council Members Campana,
Cunniff, Overbeck, Poppaw and Troxell;
You are slated to consider items related to recreational marijuana at your meeting on
March 4.
The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce encourages Council to continue the current
moratorium in order to have more time to consider the impacts of this far reaching issue.
The retail marijuana industry is still very young with many unknowns including the
impacts of being a cash only business with the opportunity for fraud and illegal activity.
Related issues that are concerning:
• Impact of being the only community in Northern Colorado that offers retail
sales. What does that mean for our economic health efforts and our branding?
• Enforcement, Regulation, Police Services and more. What are the inherent
costs that government will incur that are associated with retail marijuana
shops?
• Immature industry. This industry will be tested in the courts. Many current
regulations could change as a result of those decisions. What impact do
changing regulations have on our community?
At the same time, the Chamber stands firm on its position that employers rights must be
protected and will oppose any efforts by the Council to change or challenge those rights.
This is a challenging issue and we hope the Council will take the time required to be
thoughtful in action.
Sincerely,
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
David L. May
President & CEO
Agenda Item #17