To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Bryan Weimer, Director, Public Works and Development
Prepared By:
prepared
Jason Reynolds, Planning Division Manager, PWD
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presenter
Presenter: Jason Reynolds, Planning Division Manager, PWD
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Subject:
title
LDC24-006 Natural Medicine Land Uses Land Development Code Amendment
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
This county-initiated project proposes amending the Land Development Code (LDC) to incorporate rules for natural medicine, which includes psilocybin. The proposed changes would allow natural medicine businesses in many commercial and industrial zone districts, subject to buffer requirements around schools and childcare facilities. The rules also propose limiting in-home cultivation to no more than a 12-foot by 12-foot area; the state allows local jurisdictions to increase that area but not decrease it. The state will begin issuing natural medicine licenses at the beginning of 2025; adopting the proposed regulations this year will prepare Arapahoe County for any potential applications. Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed regulations on November 19, 2024. Three members of the public spoke regarding the item, two in favor and one opposed. Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend approval of the proposed changes to the Board, with Miller opposed.
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Background and Discussion: Given the statutory requirement that local regulations must not conflict with the state's rules or be unreasonable, the draft regulations apply the state rules and clarify where natural medicine businesses can be located in Arapahoe County. Proposition 122 and Senate Bill 23-290 do not authorize any retail sales. They decriminalize psilocybin and similar substances for personal use and allow natural medicine to be administered on-site in a licensed facility. The state has adopted extensive regulations for licensing, security, operations, record-keeping, and location.
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