A judge in El Paso County, Colorado, has ruled against placing a measure on the April municipal election ballot that would overturn a recent citywide vote allowing recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs. The injunction prohibits the city from referring a measure to the ballot, which would reverse the voters’ will on Ballot Question 300 allowing medical marijuana stores to sell recreational pot. The judge cited Amendment 64, which requires measures to prohibit recreational marijuana sales to appear on a general election ballot during an even-numbered year.
The City Council argued that voters were confused by the ballot language and referred a new measure to the spring election, prompting two residents to sue the city. The plaintiffs claimed that placing the measure on the spring ballot was an attempt to reverse the voters’ will through low voter turnout. The judge’s ruling was celebrated by one of the plaintiffs, an Air Force veteran, who stated that the court held the council accountable for its actions.
If the ruling stands, Colorado Springs is expected to begin accepting applications for recreational licenses this month, with the first licenses being issued in April. The city has allowed medical marijuana sales for years, but recreational cannabis has been prohibited. While the city is exploring options, including a possible appeal, the ruling may pave the way for recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs. Stay updated on Colorado politics by signing up for the weekly newsletter, The Spot.
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