Effects of marijuana legalization on business discussion planned

When the Legislature changed the law for medical marijuana to establish dispensaries, Douglas County chose to opt out.

That won’t be an option under the law proposed under Question 2.

Anyone living within 25 miles of a dispensary, won’t be allowed to grow their own plants, according to a presentation made to the Minden Town Board by the Partnership of Community Resources’ Leah Walters.

The Business Council of Douglas County, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Partnership of Community Resources will sponsor two sessions that will look at the potential impact of Question 2, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Initiative. The sessions will be held on Oct. 17 at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. The first session, beginning at 7:30 a.m. will be geared to CEO’s and business owners in the county and the second, for HR directors and small business owners, will begin at 9 a.m.

In the first session, the focus will be on the “40,000 foot level,” how the passage of the initiative could impact the broad business and economic environment in Douglas County. This session will include a full breakfast buffet and the cost will be $20 per attendee. Reservations are required.

In the second session, which will look more closely at Drug Policy Best Practices, attendees are encouraged to bring along their current policy manuals in order to see how they stand up to what the industry sees as best. This session will be ideal for HR managers at larger organizations as well as do-it all CEO’s and owners. There is no charge to attend this session, although reservations are required.

Both sessions will be led by Jo McGuire, who was appointed to serve on the Colorado Governor’s Task Force, convened to recommend a legislative framework for the regulation of marijuana after the passage of Amendment 64. As a part of the Taxation, Banking and Civil Law work group, Jo lent her expertise in the form of recommendations for drug and alcohol testing in the workplace. Jo has also joined efforts with concerned citizens around the state to support Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a national effort led by Dr. Kevin Sabet that is focused on bringing the proven medical research and scientific data to the forefront of the national effort to legalize marijuana in the U.S. Jo has helped organized the Colorado chapter of SAM and works closely with national health experts to educate state and federal policy makers on the importance of public health, pertaining to drug and alcohol testing practices.

To register for the sessions, go to www.carsonvalleynv.org and click on the Calendar option in the lower left of the home page. From there just navigate to the date and click on the session you will be attending. Then just register as a guest and go through the process. If you prefer, you may call the Chamber at 782-8144 and register that way.