When it comes to recreational marijuana, Cortez residents can now buy local.
The Cortez City Council Tuesday night approved the first marijuana retailer, the Herbal Alternative, to sell and cultivate the product for recreational shoppers in Cortez.
A second applicant, The Beacon, was also given conditional approval to sell recreational marijuana, pending a final building inspection. As of Monday Jan. 27, the renovations, required to retrofit the Beacon's interior to meet state recreational shop guidelines, were not fully completed, according to city building official Sam Proffer.
Proffer noted that the renovations required of The Beacon were "more robust" but was told by ownership prior to Tuesday's city council meeting the remaining work was completed.
Beacon owner Paul Coffey explained to the council that the remainder of work that needed to be done was extremely minimal, and the shop would be ready for another inspection at the city's earliest convenience.
City manager Shane Hale suggested that the council approve the permit with conditions that the retail permit can't be granted until a final inspection and certificate of occupancy are granted.
"There's no reason to make them wait two weeks if it's done," said Hale.
The council, department heads, the police chief, nor attending citizens had any objections to both retail permit approvals.
Following the vote, Herbal Alternative owner Garrett Smith expressed relief and gratitude to the city officials for finally moving on final piece of a long and complicated puzzle for recreational shop hopefuls. The Herbal Alternative is at 1531 Lebanon Road in Cortez. The Beacon is at 1740 E. Main St. No. 2 in Cortez.
"I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders," he said. "I'm excited, and looking forward to getting going, and for the tax revenue to start flowing in to the city and schools."
In September, the city council repealed its moratorium on recreational marijuana sales, allowing local marijuana dispensary owners to apply for retail business permits.
Retail marijuana sales to adults 21 over have been legal in Colorado since Jan. 1, 2014. Cortez is now among some 40 other municipalities to permit retail marijuana establishments.
Herbal Alternative opened for recreational sales at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday
