Boulder, Colorado is home to a thriving pot industry that caters to some 66,000 card carrying medical marijuana smokers. Since the passing of the November 2000 amendment to legalize medical marijuana,the city of Boulder has seen dozens of dispensaries open up to meet the high demand. While many have found great financial success via these new laws, some dispensaries are now facing closure. In an attempt to stem the tide of this growing industry, new laws have been passed blocking convicted felons from owning shops. One such shop owner Pierre Werner aka Dr. Reefer is now facing the prospects of relocation as his criminal record precludes him from further marijuana sales.
“Ten years following the approval of Amendment 20, the city of Denver is reported to have 250 dispensary storefronts and 100 in the city of Boulder. The state of Colorado has issued approximately 66,000 cards that allow for card-carrying members to purchase medical marijuana. According to officials an estimated 100,000 state residents can legally buy marijuana. In August 2009 about 270 applications were submitted per day. That number however, has reached an estimated 1,000 applications as of February 2010.[1] On May 5, 2010 a medical marijuana bill (HB 1284) was approved by the Colorado State Senate bringing dispensaries closer to legal recognition and regulation. Sen. Chris Romer estimates that the new law will cause several dispensaries to close. However, Romer says it’s necessary to “get the knuckleheads out of the business.” -Ballotpedia
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