Castle Rock designates areas for medical marijuana gardens

The City Council approved interim zoning restrictions for group medical marijuana gardens Monday without discussion or audience comment — a far cry from boisterous earlier meetings about the topic.
The rules grew out of a state law in July allows medical marijuana patients to band together and form collective gardens. Previous meetings on the subject were heated, with medical marijuana supporters saying their rights were being restricted and opponents worrying that the city's children would be damaged if the gardens were allowed.
The emergency rules restrict the collective gardens to two "highway business district" areas near Interstate 5. Most of the land is east of the highway and away from the city's downtown and residential core. The council also set a number of restrictions, including requiring a city building permit and not allowing the plants to be seen from the street. By state law, the gardens cannot have more than 10 member patients and no more than 45 plants.
The emergency rules are in effect until January. The city Planning Commission will draft the city's final ordinances, which will be presented to the City Council for formal adoption in December.