by Kimberly Adams
TRINIDAD — Marijuana came to Trinidad this year with three recreational dispensaries already in operation with one more opening this month near Walmart south of the city. A fifth recreational marijuana business is slated to open this month next door to Peaceful Herbs – an existing store – located in the historic building formerly occupied by former tavern Monte Cristo Lounge located on Santa Fe Trail just off the Main Street exit along Interstate 25.
The popular yet controversial plant dominated the Trinidad City Council agenda at this week’s regular meeting. Following a public hearing Tuesday, April 7, the seven member council voted 6-1 in favor of granting three marijuana related business licenses to David Smith, owner of Faragosi Farms, Inc., for a retail store at 118 Santa Fe Trail and its future manufacturing/cultivation facility at 612 Hainlen Street.
The city council also approved, on a 6-1 vote, license modifications for four active dispensaries in the city.
Now, some Trinidad City Council members are considering whether or not the community needs a temporary break from licensing the local pot boom. Some council members believe a rest on new licenses are needed in order to digest what is already here. “When is it enough,” council member Joe Bonato asked? He indicated his constituents are asking him that same question. Bonato was the dissenting vote April 7 on all of the city council’s marijuana related agenda items.
Council informally discussed the idea of a moratorium on new recreational marijuana licenses during their work session at City Hall March 31. “Our intention was to never create an Amsterdam or a Las Vegas strip,” council member Michelle Miles said at the March 31 meeting, agreeing with a similar statement from council member Anthony Mattie.
Mattie, a 40-year veteran law enforcement officer in the area, has previously stated that legal marijuana goes against everything he has learned and experienced. However, he embraces the fact that Amendment 64 passed by Colorado voters in 2012 legalized the contentious herb was “In this industry, I have different responsibilities and one of them is to embrace Amendment 64,” he said.
Mattie brought up having two marijuana outlets at the gateway to the city may not be so good of a look for local tourism. “There are a number of other citizens who are concerned about being inundated with the number of marijuana facilities – having two of them at the Main Street exit,” he said.
Parking in the downtown area is increasingly becoming a problem and Dave Giraher, owner of Peaceful Herbs and soon-to-be next door neighbor to Smith and Faragosi Farms, agrees. Giraher spoke in support of Smith during the public hearing April 7. In addition to the downtown dispensaries, new businesses such as an art gallery and a full service beauty salon and spa opened shop this year on Main Street.
The question of allowed signage that falls in line with current zoning and marijuana-related laws has the city council talking. The city has local sign codes and separate marijuana business sign codes in place. “The sign code of the city doesn’t allow for any temporary signs of any nature; they have to be fixed or framed,” City Manager Gabriel Engeland said during the public hearing.
Bonato is concerned about the increased usage of city water by the marijuana industry which he openly does not support. Faragosi Farms has not yet decided on the greenhouse that will be built at the 612 Hainlen Street location and that concerns him, he said Tuesday.
Mayor Pro Tem Carol Bolton opposes the idea of a moratorium. Mayor Reorda suggested the moratorium discussion be placed “on the back burner” during the March 31 work session. However, the council has discussed and considered the moratorium idea for quite sometime.
Bolton firmly believes the issue must be addressed. “I’m tired of this council flip-flopping back and forth on this issue,” she said during the March 31 work session.
