MARIJUANA CENTERS PREPARE FOR CLOSING DAY

Medical marijuana businesses in Fort Collins have about two weeks to
clean up their affairs and close their doors.

A voter-approved ban on marijuana dispensaries and grow operations in
the city goes into effect Feb. 14.

Several businesses already have closed and have had their premises
inspected by Fort Collins police and state regulators. Others are
making arrangements to move their operations to cities that allow
marijuana businesses in the Denver-Boulder area.

Businesses have been scheduling appointments for inspection, said Sgt.
Jim Byrne of Fort Collins police. So far, the inspections have gone
smoothly.

In some cases, large amounts of marijuana and many plants were
surrendered by the businesses, he said. The marijuana was seized and
destroyed.

Dave Watson, owner of Kind Care Colorado, 6617 S. College Ave., said
he has no interest in moving his shop. Most of the business' product
will be gone by the time it closes at 6 p.m. Feb. 14.

"I want to stay in good standing with the city and comply with all the
rules," he said. "After that, I'm just going to lay low and see what
happens."