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City hearing officer considers another new pot license

Brett Milam
Post Independent staff writer

Another of several new retail marijuana license requests, this one involving one of Glenwood Springs’ established medical dispensaries, was before the city’s license hearing officer, Angela Roff, Wednesday.

Martin’s Natural Medicinals at 216 Sixth St., which was one of the first medical marijuana dispensaries to open in Glenwood, has petitioned for a new retail marijuana store license.

Roff noted that owners David Martin and Vicki Revais have not had any issues with their current medical license.



“I’m a retired Marine. I keep everything in order,” Martin said.

Their petition is to expand into the retail market and gain a retail marijuana store license. It’s one of four new applications for retail licenses filed this spring before City Council imposed a 90-day moratorium on new license applications while it reviews the city’s marijuana regulations.



Council last week upheld Roff’s denials of two of those requests, for the Green Dragon to open a second retail store on Grand Avenue, and for the proposed new Recreational Releaf store on 10th Street.

Revais said they want to give their business at the prominent intersection of Sixth and Grand a better look for that corner. It needs a makeover with new paint, she added.

“Tourism is going through here on a consistent basis and that’s what we want to focus on,” Revais said.

After they spoke, Roff allowed individuals in attendance to speak on behalf or in opposition to the petition for a new license.

Most people in attendance were present for earlier liquor license renewals or petitions for new ones. Roff also hears liquor license requests and renewals for the city.

Three to four members of the public were in attendance regarding the marijuana petition.

Tracey Hornspy testified on behalf of Martin’s, as a potential store manager for the retail store.

“I’ve been in the industry for six years and I’m going to be one of the faces of this,” Hornspy said. “I wanted to assure we’re coming into this as business owners. We want to play nicely with the community.

“I believe this group is going to do well,” she added.

Dave Hammond, owner of a security business that services the valley, also voiced his support.

“As a consumer, I wanted to support them as a veteran,” Hammond said.

Hammond added that veterans have benefited from retail marijuana, which he said helps reduce the suicide rate among veterans. He further added his appreciations of Martin’s for having a veteran’s discount.

Roff said she didn’t see the relevance of his testimony since he wasn’t a Glenwood resident, but would still take it under consideration.

“We didn’t open [marijuana sales] for the purposes of tourism. The ordinance I’m looking at is for the adult inhabitants,” Roff said.

Representatives of the existing Green Dragon retail store, medical dispensary and cultivation operation on Devereux Road, Ronald and Brian Radtke, opposed the new request by Martin’s.

Speaking to Roff, Brian Radtke said she denied Green Dragon’s application for a second retail store on the basis that the needs of the adult inhabitants of Glenwood had been met by the existing businesses.

“I’m ashamed that Glenwood Springs doesn’t consider the mighty tourist dollar along with the adult inhabitants’ dollar,” Radtke said. “I’m asking this license to be denied based on the adult inhabitants’ needs being met.”

Ronald Radtke said he has no problems with his competition and believes in competition.

“You denied my application because city needs had been met,” he said. “Subsequently, I would like you and the city to honor the wishes of the city’s inhabitants.”

John Dyet, who had proposed to open the new Recreational Releaf retail store, agreed with the Radtkes.

“The other applicants did a lot to show they met needs of residents, whereas they haven’t,” Dyet said.

Revais countered that their license should not be denied based on the comments of would-be competitors.

“They don’t want competition,” Revais said.

Martin added that his business has always catered to veterans and offered free counseling.

The Radtkes said the Green Dragon also offered a veteran discount, if a proper ID is shown.

“I will take this matter under advisement,” Roff said.

Roff has 30 days under the city’s marijuana licensing regulations in which to make a decision.

“I’ll try my hardest to get it out sooner than that,” she said.


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