APVail Daily reports the city council voted 6-1 last night to approve a recreational marijuana ban in their first reading of the proposal. That ban could face final approval as soon as August 4th.
Other than the six supportive council members, the ban enjoys support from a majority of Vail residents, business leaders and the Vail Mayor Andy Daly. Most cite the same reason for their support: Vail is a tourist town, and not all tourist are ready for recreational marijuana.
In earlier comments, Daly told the Colorado Statesman visitors from Latin America and Middle America might not be comfortable with pot shops next to their favorites bistros and fur stores.
“I really believe that we’ve spent tremendous time and money developing a very definitive Vail brand, and it’s one that is based on quality and professionalism. So while marijuana for the state overall is fine, what we have to look to in Vail is really protecting our brand.”
Council member Greg Moffet cast the lone vote against the ban. He explained that adding a ban amounts to "unnecessary lawmaking" because current zoning rules already exclude commercial pot operations.
Vail is the only major ski-resort town in the state that bans retail marijuana operations, but the ban only excludes pot shops from the town center. The so-called Green Mile along Highway 6 in Vail-Eagle offers a wide range of options for tourists interested in recreational cannabis.
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