To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Bryan Weimer, Director, Public Works & Development
Prepared By:
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Jason Reynolds, Planning Division Manager, PWD
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presenter
Presenter: Jason Reynolds, Planning Division Manager, PWD
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Subject:
title
LDC24-005 Retail Marijuana Stores and Marijuana Production at DEA-Authorized Facilities Amendment
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
This county-initiated project proposes amending the Land Development Code (LDC), specifically, Section 3-3.5, Marijuana Land Uses. The proposed changes would allow an existing commercial marijuana store to relocate within the same building without triggering a Use by Special Review process. The second proposed change would allow marijuana manufacturing and research facilities in industrially zoned areas, provided that the facility is registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Planning Commission and staff recommend approval of the proposed changes to the Land Development Code.
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Background and Discussion: Earlier this year, Kazmira, a manufacturer of hemp-derived CBD products located in unincorporated Arapahoe County, asked the Board of County Commissioners to support Kazmira's application for a federal marijuana testing permit from the DEA. Kazmira made this request prior to proposed federal reclassification of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug. However, if the proposed federal reclassification of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug is approved, Kazmira has advised that will not materially change their application for a DEA permit. Indeed, it is likely that additional federally authorized marijuana manufacturing facilities will be needed to supply product for medical research. The Land Development Code currently prohibits all marijuana uses except for the four existing retail dispensaries in unincorporated Arapahoe County and a marijuana product manufacturing facility, even a DEA-authorized facility, is not permitted under the marijuana r...
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