Commerce City, Colorado, is considering a new ordinance to limit the number of marijuana shops in the city. Currently, there are eight shops in the southern half of the city, with several clustered together, and only one in the northern half. The city council is proposing an eventual cap of eight shops, with four in each half of the city.
The decision comes after a year-long moratorium on new cannabis shops in the southern half of the city, which was renewed for another six months this summer. The council passed the measure on its first reading in December and will vote on it again in January.
Proponents of the ordinance argue that having too many marijuana shops in one area can lead to a saturation point, which is not good for the shops or the community. They also point to other cities, such as Thornton and Brighton, which have limits on the number of marijuana shops.
Opponents of the ordinance argue that it will limit the city’s tax revenue and make it harder for entrepreneurs to start new businesses. They also argue that the city should focus on creating a more diverse range of businesses, rather than limiting the number of marijuana shops.
The city’s mayor, Steve Douglas, said that the city is trying to fill gaps in its commercial operations and that the new ordinance will help to achieve that goal. The Marijuana Industry Group, a trade association for the cannabis industry, also supports the ordinance, saying that it is a legitimate approach to regulating the industry.
Garrett Yamashiro, the general manager of a Star Buds marijuana shop in Commerce City, said that his store has seen a decline in traffic and sales since the city implemented a 1,000-foot buffer between stores. He also noted that the city’s tax revenue from marijuana sales has decreased in recent years.
The proposed ordinance is part of a broader effort by the city to regulate the cannabis industry and ensure that it is operating in a responsible and sustainable way. The city is also considering other measures, such as increasing the distance between stores and requiring them to be located in commercial areas.
Overall, the proposed ordinance is a step towards regulating the cannabis industry in Commerce City and ensuring that it is operating in a way that benefits the community.
