David Michel, general counsel for IgadI, said in November
\nthat the company had not withdrawn its application. The hearing has not yet
\nbeen rescheduled.<\/p>\n
However, citizens in Granby and across Grand County have expressed
\nstrong opinions on recreational marijuana and the proposed location.<\/p>\n
The county received 78 letters and emails in support of the IgadI location and 22 against it. The letters came from citizens in Granby and residents around the county.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.skyhinews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/12\/Word-Art.jpeg\")
Eight letters in favor of the location mentioned Red Dirt Hill, pointing out that the proposed marijuana shop would reduce trips over a strip of US Highway 40 considered dangerous by many in the county.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be extremely helpful if I had a dispensary closer
\nto home,\u201d a Grand Lake resident wrote. \u201cI now have to drive 40 minutes to
\nFraser and over Red Dirt Hill, which we all know is a death trap.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seven of the pro-IgadI letters also referenced the distances
\nneeded to drive to dispensaries and the fact that often Summit County is a more
\nconvenient place to buy marijuana products.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am in favor of the new IgadI,\u201d a Kremmling resident
\nwrote. \u201cIt would save me 26 miles round trip. It would keep me from shopping in
\nSummit County.\u201d<\/p>\n
The tax revenue generated by marijuana shops was referenced
\n12 times by letters in support.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn general, I don\u2019t understand why any legal business would not be permitted to operate in Grand County,\u201d another county resident wrote. \u201cSince when is our community wealthy enough to refuse tax-generated revenue?\u201d<\/p>\n
Another popular argument highlighted the presence of alcohol sales in Granby, and a few letters reasoned that marijuana should be treated similarly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that it is the job of parents to educate and
\nmonitor their children \u2014 the exact same way that our county treats alcohol,\u201d a
\nGranby resident wrote.<\/p>\n
One Grand County resident highlighted the fact that the dispensary does not fall under Granby\u2019s municipality: \u201cI am for the dispensary going in for several reasons, but the main reason being that I do not believe Granby should have a say in what businesses can exist outside of their city limits.”<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.skyhinews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/12\/Word-Art1.jpeg\")
Those opposed to the IgadI store brought their own
\narguments. Nine of the 22 letters mentioned the impact the shop would have on
\nchildren and\/or its proximity to schools.<\/p>\n
A letter from East Grand School District Superintendent
\nFrank Reeves referenced the store\u2019s proximity to the middle school and high
\nschool in town, highlighting increased drug use and the district\u2019s safety
\npriority.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that the location of the proposed new store is a
\nlegal distance away from our schools,\u201d Reeves wrote. \u201cHowever, it is not a far
\nenough distance to (ensure) the feeling of safety for our students and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Writers refuted the argument that the tax revenue would
\nserve the county by weighing it against moral consequences. A letter from a
\nGranby minister and mother pointed to mental health and violent crimes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere would be many innocent people who would pay the price
\nto benefit just one \u2014 the owner of the pot shop \u2014 and, perhaps, the greed of
\nthose who would put tax revenue over human life and our way of life,\u201d the
\nminister said.<\/p>\n
Multiple letters referenced and linked to episodes highlighting the detriments of marijuana in the Rocky Mountain PBS show, \u201cInsight.\u201d<\/p>\n