A marijuana enthusiast shows off a container of wax made in Wheat Ridge during the High Times US Cannabis Cup in Denver on Sunday, April 21, 2013. (Seth A. McConnell, The Denver Post file)
WHEAT RIDGE — The city of Wheat Ridge has placed a 90-day moratorium on all applications for marijuana-infused manufacturing businesses in the city.
Current regulations require pot shops and grow facilities be located at least 1,000 feet from schools, daycares and treatment facilities and also require that they be ¾ of a mile away from each other.
There are no such regulations for testing and manufacturing businesses, said city manager Patrick Goff.
“It’s fairly common for cities to use a moratorium ordinance to freeze in place applications while the city figures out what regulations they should have,” said city attorney Gerald Dahl.
Council listened to public comment Monday from eight stakeholders in the testing and manufacturing industry who opposed the moratorium, and one citizen who supported it.
Opponents said their businesses are discreet, safe and in the case of testing, perform a vital service to public health.
The lone supporter of the moratorium said the businesses are a public health nuisance and the city shouldn’t be known for supporting marijuana-related businesses.
Council voted “yes” on amendments that would exempt testing facilities and the single application for a cannabis-infused manufacturing business from the moratorium.
They then voted 6-1 in favor of the 90-day moratorium on applications for manufacturing businesses.
“We just want a nice great place to start a business in a great community to create these products,” said Jon Cooper, who had the single application for a cannabis-infused manufacturing business. “We’ll employ 35 to 40 people in high-paying, cutting-edge jobs.”
Austin Briggs: 303-954-1729, abriggs@denverpost.com
Wheat Ridge places 90-day moratorium on marijuana manufacturing applications
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