Aug. 29, 2011 - Boulder completes medical marijuana business license reviews; launches inspections of appealing businesses

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Sarah Huntley, Media Relations, 303-441-3155

Boulder completes medical marijuana business license reviews; launches inspections of appealing businesses

The City of Boulder has finished its review of the 120 medical marijuana business license applications it has received since last summer. Forty-eight licenses have been issued so far, 30 license applications are still pending while owners make changes that are expected to bring them into full compliance,  nine businesses withdrew their applications and 33 were denied. Of those that were denied, 22 are awaiting appeals hearings.

Businesses that have pending appeals are permitted to stay open until their hearing results are known. While the city anticipates that the appeals hearings will occur within the next month, officials are concerned that these businesses have not been inspected for compliance with building and other safety-related codes. This creates the potential that Boulder is unintentionally allowing unsafe businesses to remain open, or perpetuating an unfair situation by requiring other businesses, including compliant medical marijuana businesses, to follow more rigorous legal standards.

To prevent potential continued unsafe operation and to encourage equal treatment of all businesses, the City of Boulder will now begin inspecting medical marijuana businesses that had their applications denied but remain open pending an appeals hearing. These inspections are intended to determine compliance with all applicable city codes. Violations that pose an immediate health or safety risk must be remedied immediately. If other violations are found, the business will have 30 days to correct them. If a business fails to do so, the inspection findings will become additional grounds for denial of the pending license application.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 30 May 2012 13:56