• 09
  • August
    2010

Residents of certain Colorado Springs neighborhoods are expressing concern over the rising number of medical marijuana centers in their communities. While some fear that the dispensaries will erode the value of homes and drive away potential homebuyers, others fear that they will attract an unsavory or even criminal element.

According to city records, Colorado Springs had issued more than 230 licenses to operate medical marijuana centers as of July 29. While these dispensaries are located throughout the city, a disproportionate amount appear to be located in certain neighborhoods, including West Colorado Avenue, East Platte Avenue, and zones in and around the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Jim Lamphear, a longtime West Colorado Avenue homeowner who has spent significant time renovating his home and watching the neighborhood flourish, is apprehensive about the impact medical marijuana centers will have on home values and the overall quality of the area.

"Like any business that operates on the fringe of morality, like adult bookstores and topless bars, dispensaries threaten the neighborhood concept," he said.

 

According to Tanya Garduno, director of the Colorado Springs Medical Cannabis Council, the owners of local medical marijuana centers are doing everything they can to protect the integrity of the neighborhood. This includes posting signs warning against littering and loitering. In addition, when the Medical Cannabis Council receives a complaint, its members make sure the complaint is fully addressed.

However, Garduno is aware that these efforts may not be enough to satisfy residents of these neighborhoods.

"Sometimes, no matter what the dispensaries do, the neighbors won't be happy. A lot of times, it's that they don't like the business itself," she said.

It is worth noting that not all of the residents of the West Colorado Avenue neighborhood object to the presence of medical marijuana centers.

Peter Karnincic, owner of a local barbeque restaurant located across the street from a center, indicated that crime has not increased since the center's opening and stated he had no issues with its operations.

"I gave some of those guys our menu so if they get the munchies they can come over and eat," he said.

The long-term impact of medical marijuana centers on residential communities remains to be seen ... 

Related Resources: 
 
• Medical Marijuana Shops Sprouting Across the Region (The Gazette - Colorado Springs)