Longmont is reworking a proposed ordinance to allow state-licensed dispensaries outside of the city to deliver medical marijuna to residents.
The City Council Tuesday night agreed to lift a restriction that would have only allowed city-licensed medical pot businesses to make deliveries to patients living in Longmont. Those city-licensed dispensaries also have to possess a state-licensed delivery permit and follow other state rules.
Mayor Brian Bagley pushed for the change in the proposed ordinance saying he wanted to include Native Roots, which operates a dispensary at 19 S. Sunset Street in unincorporated Boulder County. Bagley then broadened the ordinance to let all state-licensed dispensaries deliver to patients in Longmont, on the advice of Assistant City Attorney Tim Holt.
“I’m not sure we can pick and choose dispensaries outside of our jurisdiction,” to include in the ordinance, Holt said.
The new medical marijuana delivery ordinance got initial approval from the City Council Tuesday night and is headed for a public hearing and second reading on Oct. 13.
The city council also removed a requirement that drivers had to be equipped with a body camera to record transactions.
The state does not require delivery drivers to use body cameras and it could discourage deliveries in Longmont, Council Member Joan Peck said.
Greeley attorney and medical marijuana advocate Jeri Shepherd also warned the council that body cameras could bring liability problems.
“I would ask you to omit the body cameras because it sounds more like an invasion of privacy and civil liberties,” said Shepherd during the public invited to be heard portion of the council meeting.
Otherwise, Shepherd praised Longmont for approving medical marijuana deliveries. “This will be helpful for patients especially those who cannot get out and over concerns about COVID-19,” she said.
Deliveries could only be made during a dispensary's hours of operation as allowed by the city, the ordinance said. The ordinance also does not allow the delivery of recreational marijuana.
There are currently four city-licensed marijuana dispensaries: The Green Solution, 206 S. Main St., Medicine Man Longmont, 500 E. Rogers Road; Terrapin Care Station, 650 20th Ave., and Twin Peaks Dispensary, 900 S. Hover St., Unit A.
Twin Peaks Dispensary is also licensed for medical marijuana sale.
