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Cedaredge Citizens Voice Opposition To Pot Facility

Marijuana Plant
Laura Palmisano
/
KVNF

Last week the town of Cedaredge held a meeting to let the community voice their opinion about recreational marijuana.  Specifically, the issue at hand was manufacturing facilities.  Jeff Milstein approached the board of trustees last week, inquiring about setting up a manufacturing site in an old meat packing plant in town.  The town currently has a ban on pretty much everything associated with industrial scale marijuana, but the board thought it would be a good idea to float it past the public.  Cedaredge Chief of Police Daniel Sanders was one of the first speakers. 

“What I see as a law enforcement officer is 300 – 500 pounds of marijuana per month,” said Sanders, “coming into our town.  Now it’s going to be controlled, and it would be allowed in a facility that’s not advertising they have marijuana.  We all know in law enforcement: that doesn’t matter.  The black market will be there, people will look for that score, and that’s a potential target.” 

Another officer was there that night, Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee.

“I am Sheriff of Delta County, but I’m also a resident of Cedaredge,” said McKee. 

He is one of the Colorado Sheriff’s currently suing the state over Amendment 64.

“The Controlled Substance Act, which was initiated in the US House, passed through the US Senate, and signed by a US President is the law of the land,” said McKee, “marijuana is illegal.  That’s the bottom line.  It’s an illegal substance. 

“In 2016, we’re going to have a new president, Democrat or Republican, [they] very possibly could put in place an attorney general that decides that they’re going to strongly enforce the Controlled Substance Act in Colorado, and they rightfully could do so.”

Several members of the public were also heard.  Many who spoke were concerned with the dangers of edibles and the hazards it could pose to children.  Michael Meskel runs a trailer park right next to the proposed site.  He says he’s worried that it would damage the property values and the reputation of the park.  He also addressed the board about his fears of the potency of edibles. 

“I want you to examine your own conscience,” said Meskel.  “What would you do if someday somebody, maybe a child, is killed or maimed for life, because they innocently consumed an edible?  It happens all the time.”

The board of trustees listened to all 28 people who spoke.  No one spoke in favor.  There were eight written comments that were submitted earlier in favor of the facility.  This was just a public comment period, and the board will vote on the issue next Thursday, but if that night was an indicator of how the board will vote, the ban on marijuana operations will likely stand.

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