Citizens’ initiative for marijuana goes to voters

September 3, 2021--Mead voters will again be asked to decide the future of medical and retail marijuana businesses in the Town of Mead. On August 30, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to deny the citizens’ initiative ordinance which would have permitted marijuana enterprises in town limits. Now registered voters will determine its fate at the November 2, 2021, election.

The citizens’ initiative petition, seeking the removal of the Town’s prohibition against medical and retail marijuana, was submitted to the Town Clerk’s office on July 23, 2021, with 262 signatures. The initiative was reviewed by the Town Clerk, who authenticated signatures, and determined the petition was valid and sufficient in accordance with Colorado statute. The proposed ordinance was presented to the Board of Trustees, who had two options; adopt the proposed ordinance without alteration or refer the proposed ordinance to the registered voters of Mead. 

In 2011, the Mead Board of Trustees prohibited medical marijuana; a similar prohibition on recreational marijuana went into effect in 2013. Both bans were enacted by the Board of Trustees, not the voters of Mead.  “Several years ago, the Board unilaterally decided to prohibit marijuana sales in the Town. After careful consideration, we agreed that our residents should be the ones to make decisions on state-authorized marijuana sales in our community,” noted Mead Mayor Colleen Whitlow.

In November 2019, a similar citizens’ marijuana initiative failed, losing by less than 400 votes. If passed this election year, the ban of medical and recreational marijuana sales in Mead would be lifted, and the Board of Trustees would be required to adopt state regulations for these businesses. Colorado has strict laws to regulate, control, and limit the number of authorized marijuana businesses within townships and cities.