The ban covers billboards, posters, bus benches, windshield leaflets and sign-twirlers, reports John Ingold of The Denver Post.
The
unanimous vote took less than a minute. The council then voted -- again
unanimously -- to kill an alternative plan which was more limited, and
would have only banned outdoor medical marijuana ads within 1,000 feet
of schools, daycare centers and parks.
A public hearing last week showed that medical marijuana advocates
were split over the ban, but city council members were strongly in
favor. Monday's vote was no surprise.
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| Center For Progressive Leadership |
| Mike Elliott, Medical Marijuana Industry Group: "We are glad to see the ordinance passed" |
Medical
marijuana supporters agreed that some forms of advertising -- the
sign-spinners, for instance -- go too far, but they were divided on the
ban itself.
The Medical Marijuana Industry
Group supported the ban, saying it was a "showing of good faith" by the
shops which are trying to fit into their communities.
"We
are glad to see the ordinance passed," said MMIG Executive Director
Mike Elliott after the vote. "We believe it finds the right balance
between protecting the interests of both the city and the medical
marijuana community."
But other groups,
including the Cannabis Business Alliance, worried that the ban would
curtail promotions such as branded t-shirts or hats for patients. After
city officials said it wouldn't cover those items, alliance spokesperson
Kristen Thomson said the organization "feels better" about it, but she
still wishes the city had targeted specific problems rather than
enacting a sweeping ban.
"While we're not pleased with the outcome, we're confident that the rules have been clearly established," Thomson said.
The
dispensaries will still be able to advertise in newspapers or online.
They can also display their logo at charity events which they sponsor.
