Will recreational marijuana be allowed in Colorado Springs? Pharmacies are working to figure it out

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Since a ballot question banning recreational marijuana failed as more votes are counted in El Paso County, eleven news viewers have been wondering how Question 300’s restrictions will work if recreational marijuana is allowed.

Both questions continued until Saturday, with more voices now against 2Dto ban recreational marijuana. On Monday morning, 11 News called 300which passed, allowing recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs.

But it includes restrictions passed through a city ordinance in September. This means that pre-existing medical marijuana dispensaries can apply for licenses to sell recreational marijuana, but they cannot sell it within 1,000 feet of a private or public daycare, preschool or elementary school.

This essentially covers the entire city, which raises the question of whether this is just another ban on recreational sales.

11 News reached out to several Colorado Springs pharmacies for answers.

Although they declined to be identified, most said they planned to apply for a recreational permit, and thus held a dueling permit; however, they declined to comment as no decision has been made yet on what happens next.

They said they were still discussing what to do with their staff because there is a lot of gray area in the ballot question. While a number of venues said they were still unsure whether to sign up at all, most said the decision to sign up despite the restrictions was their first concrete steps since news of the vote change this weekend.

Another pharmacy, which is also still making plans, said they are preparing for possible legal action against the city. Nothing has been filed yet as Question 2D has yet to be asked, but if they win a case, they said they are confident they can sell marijuana recreationally.

A photo shows where marijuana is not allowed to be sold in the city.(Colorado Springs City Council)

City Council President Pro Tem Lynette Crow-Iverson, who advanced 2D, said the city will respect the outcome of the election and that she believes there may have been confusion among citizens that could have affected the results.

“I also heard from many voters who were understandably confused by the presence of two conflicting measures on the ballot. … This confusion clouded the issue and may have affected the vote,” the statement said.

So far, however, most dispensaries said they are unsure of what the next steps are, but are excited about the opportunity to sell recreational marijuana and hope to do so in the near future.