Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jun 2016
Source: Pueblo Chieftain (CO)
Copyright: 2016 The Pueblo Chieftain
Contact:  http://www.chieftain.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1613
Author: Vince Hanson

CANNABIS JOBS, TAXES ARE AT RISK

I am gravely concerned about the effort to ban the sale, cultivation 
and testing facilities of recreational marijuana in Pueblo County. 
Now that marijuana is legal in Colorado, counties have the choice of 
whether to regulate the industry locally. Through responsible 
regulation, they create a climate in which jobs are created and tax 
revenue is generated.

Pueblo County has aggressively regulated the retail marijuana 
industry. These regulations have added over $3 million in revenue to 
Pueblo County since 2014. This new revenue stream has benefited all 
our citizens through scholarships, services for the homeless, 4-H and 
FFA and other programs.

Prohibiting the sale of recreational marijuana at the city or county 
level would not be effective. People will use marijuana whether legal 
or not. Banning retail sales would end up costing Pueblo County 1,300 
or more jobs and millions in tax revenue.

Banning retail marijuana sales, production and manufacturing would 
create more problems for law enforcement, without bringing in revenue 
to cover these increased expenses.

We need to be patient and give these rules and regulations a chance to work.

Vince Hanson

Pueblo
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom