Despite Colorado legalizing marijuana for adult-use, which went into effect on January 1, 2014, approximately only 30% of the state’s towns and cities currently allow cannabis sales. The Elk Mountains enclave of Snowmass Village was one such municipality hesitant to move on marijuana, swiftly adopting a moratorium on retail six years ago—even with its small population passing Amendment 64 with 72% of voters in 2012. But now, and just in time for the Christmas week rush of vacationers, the Town of Snowmass Village is officially open for cannabusiness.

High Q, locally owned by Renée Grossman, not only toasted to the opening of its third location on December 14, but also celebrated the end of a years-long undertaking. Two members of Snowmass Town Council, including Mayor Markey Butler, had contentiously opposed marijuana previously citing fears ranging from tarnishing the resort’s family-friendly image to negatively impacting children.

Ultimately after voting in favor of a moratorium extension three times since 2013, Town Council approved the zoning ordinance along with a set of carefully crafted regulations for marijuana dispensaries in the village in March. Six months later, Grossman presented a comprehensive business plan for High Q and was unanimously approved to operate the first-ever dispensary in Snowmass—one of 11 applicants the Romero Group vetted to lease its space on the second level of the Village Mall.

– Read the entire article at Forbes.