Yesterday Denver’s City Council held an informal vote on whether or not the city should opt-out of the newly-legal recreational marijuana industry: Of the 11 members who voted (some abstained), only one voted in favor of opting out (Council member Jeanne Faatz), with the remaining 10 voting in favor of allowing retail outlets which would sell recreational marijuana. This is according to the Denver Post.

“We need to take the bull by the horns and lead,” said Councilman Chris Nevitt. “For me, opting out is not an option. I want us to be in the driver’s seat. I want us to show the state and the rest of the county.”

After the vote, Assistant City Attorney David Broadwell presented the council with a draft licensing ordinance. “This is the initial drafting,” stated Broadwell, “We invite everyone to look at this and get comments. We expect to get a lot of constructive criticism.”

Among other regulatory provisions, the draft ordinance calls for retail outlets to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, and calls for a ban on cannabis clubs.

Those in Denver wanting to have their voice heard as the regulations are formulated should be contacting their city council to voice their opinion (you can click here to find their contact information).

– TheJointBlog