To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Ron Carl, County Attorney
Prepared By:
prepared
John Christofferson, Deputy County Attorney
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Subject:
title
Arapahoe County Commercial Marijuana Store Licensing Policy
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The Board is requested to approve a resolution adopting the updated Arapahoe County Commercial Marijuana Store Licensing Policy for medical marijuana store and retail marijuana store licenses for limited properties located in unincorporated Arapahoe County.
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Background and Discussion:
On November 8, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Arapahoe County Ordinance No. 2022-01 Establishing the Operation of Limited Commercial Marijuana Stores within Unincorporated Arapahoe County, which will become effective December 17, 2022. Also on November 8, 2022, the BoCC adopted a revision to the Land Development Code Sec. 3-3.5 Marijuana Land Use and Definitions for marijuana use within unincorporated Arapahoe County. The Ordinance and LDC now allow the four (4) current commercial marijuana stores to increase in size and/or move to locations within unincorporated Arapahoe County as limited by Section 3-3.5 Marijuana Land Uses. The number of stores is still limited to no more than four (4) and no other marijuana businesses are allowed.
Due to the amendments, the Arapahoe County policy for marijuana licenses needs to be revised. The attached Arapahoe County Commercial Marijuana Store Licensing Policy includes revisions to incorporate a licensee’s ability to increase the size of its location and/or change locations as allowed by Ordinance 2022-01 and the amended LDC Sec. 3-3.5.
The revised policy includes marijuana store licenses, renewals, change of trade name, change of location, and other application procedures and fees, along with a revised form application. This continues the standards for marijuana license issuance by the County.
Alternatives: The Board could elect to rely solely on the State for licensing.
Fiscal Impact: If the Board decides to adopt this policy, the County would receive fees for the issuance and renewal of the limited number of retail marijuana store licenses, medical marijuana store licenses, annual renewals, and other application procedures that would offset the costs associated with the County’s review for compliance and enforcement of marijuana licensing, and marijuana enforcement.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☐Be fiscally sustainable
☐Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Concurrence: N/A.
Resolution: Attached is a copy of the draft resolution.