From a unanimous vote, Grand County Commissioners are allowing retail recreational marijuana shops under Amendment 64.
The decision only applies to unincorporated portions of the county with commercial zoning. Those areas with potential for pot retail are few, but could include parts of Tabernash, properties directly west of Granby, areas along Highway 34, and possibly areas in Parshall.
Commissioner Merrit Linke initially proposed a ban on retail shops, citing concerns with cannabis still being illegal federally, no demonstrated cases of marijuana sales eliminating crime or drug cartels, potential issues with money laundering and lack of tax structure, among other things.
By licensing and permitting retail marijuana, Commissioner James Newberry said, the county could at least collect some revenue for law enforcement to deal with the fallout of marijuana use. Still, all three commissioners agreed that revenue collected from marijuana sales will likely be minimal.
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