Key Colorado city aims to overturn voter-approved recreational marijuana

Colorado’s second-most-populated city will hold a special election in April to overturn a recreational marijuana legalization measure that voters approved in November.

According to The Colorado Sun, the Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday to bring another competing referendum to the ballot in April, essentially dismissing the will of voters.

Some council members cited voter confusion as the reason for another ballot measure.

Now, Colorado Springs voters will be asked April 1 to repeal Question 300, a measure they approved in November that allowed the sale of recreational marijuana in the city.

That ballot measure was approved by 54% of voters in a record turnout, though advocates and cannabis companies are concerned a special election will not draw as well, the Sun reported.

Despite the council’s misgivings about establishing an adult-use program, the conservative city will start accepting adult-use license applications on Feb. 10 and will have 60 days to review them.

If Question 300 is not repealed, recreational cannabis sales could begin as soon as April 10, according to the Sun.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Springs City Council this month approved a 1,000-foot buffer between marijuana retailers and day cares and schools to adhere to zoning language in Question 300.

A few months before the November election, the council voted 7-2 in favor of at least a 1-mile buffer, which would have prevented any adult-use stores from opening, the Sun reported.