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Neighbors concerned about Thornton pot dispensary they say is too close to schools

Dispensary meets city rules
Posted at 11:09 PM, Mar 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-24 01:09:23-04

THORNTON, Colo. -- For the first time, you'll soon be able to buy recreational marijuana in Thornton.

The city approved its first recreational pot dispensary on Thursday night, but not everyone in the community is excited about the new revenue stream.

A total of four dispensaries were being considered, but one in particular has neighbors concerned.

It's called Green Dragon Colorado and would be located at 128th Ave. and Holly St. -- less than a mile from three different schools including Shadow Ridge Middle School.

"I really don't want it in my neighborhood, and I don't want it by my schools," said parent Brandi Leighman who lives a mile from the proposed site.

Denver7 got in the car and timed how long it took to get to the middle school. With traffic, it took us one minute and 32 seconds.

While it seems close, it is not against the rules. City ordinance only requires dispensaries be a thousand feet from private and public schools.

"I think that they're should be stiffer laws in place for that," said Leighman.

Denver7 spoke with the director of operations for Green Dragon. He said they were limited by the city with where they could be and found the strip mall location to be the best fit.

City Council did not approve Green Dragon's license on Thursday after several members found they weren't prepared for the meeting and said they did not provide enough specific information about their plans for community engagement.

City Council voted instead to issue a continuance and give them another opportunity at another public hearing in April.

At that meeting, Green Dragon must give more details about their toy drive, the church's they hope to work with to create a community garden and provide proof of face-to-face communication with the people in the community who will be impacted.

As of 10 p.m. Thursday council was still considering the two other dispensaries.  

Rocky Road Remedies dispensary was approved and will be located off 112th Ave. and Colorado Blvd. 

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