Grand Junction City Council Discussing Marijuana Dispensaries

It is a topic that Grand Junction citizens have debated for years. Is it time that we welcome marijuana dispensaries into the city limits?

We all know there are dispensaries down the road in Palisade, DeBeque, and Parachute and they are collecting tax dollars off the items being sold. When the topic was brought up at the city council meeting on Monday according to KJCT 8, there were people on both sides of the fence. Some wanted to see the convenience of a dispensary here in town, while others say there is no need since we have some just down the road.

In the past, this same topic has made it onto the ballot but was voted down. One of the reasons marijuana dispensaries are being discussed again is because of a concern about a deadly drug (fentanyl) being manufactured in street marijuana.

It was back in 2012 when the state of Colorado first legalized marijuana and all dispensaries have been able to stay open during the pandemic as they were deemed essential businesses.

To be honest, I don't know what the right solution is on this topic. I love the idea of being able to collect those tax dollars and improve roads and put money into schools here in our community. But when I travel to Seattle to see my family they have dispensaries everywhere, so I think the city council should put a limit on how many can set up shop here in Grand Junction.

But that is just my opinion. What do you think? Is it time to allow dispensaries to open up here in Grand Junction?