Marijuana Licensing Authority

7887 E. 60th Ave. Commerce City Commerce City, CO 80022 c3gov.com Meeting Minutes - Final Marijuana Licensing Authority Friday, April 22, 2016 1:00 PM Room 3109 1. Call To Order/Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Hearing Officer Ablao on Friday, April 22, 2016, at 1:00 pm 2. Approval of Minutes Min 16-44 Minutes of the February 5, 2016, Meeting The minutes are approved as presented. 3. Public Hearings Pres 16-313 Applications For Medical Marijuana-Infused Products Manufacturer and Retail Marijuana Products Manufacturer Licenses To Be Located at 9690 Dallas St. Units A+B Submitted On Behalf of Sima Sciences, LLC Hearing Officer Ablao reopened the public hearing that was continued from February 5, 2016. She stated that the authority's official file is admitted into the record for the hearing. Ashley Pollock appeared as attorney of record for the city. The following appeared on behalf of the applicant, Sima Sciences, LLC: Jessica Scardina, Registration #41260 Kelly Rosenberg, Registration #35685 Lamia McKearn - sworn in by the hearing officer Erin Holzer - sworn in by the hearing officer Peter Barsoom - sworn in by the hearin officer Attorney Scardina gave a brief opening statement regarding the applicant meeting the licensing requirements of both the state and the city. She stated that the desires of the neighborhood were addressed at the initial public hearing held on April 22, 2016. Ms McKearn testiified to her educational and employement history. She stated that she is the owner of Sima Sciences and hopes to oversee production on a daily basis. Sima Sciences will be obtaining marijuana oil from local companies and infusing it into chocolates. Since the time of her application submittal, there has been a change in ownership of the licensed property and she is under a sublease agreement with the tenant. The hours of operation are anticipated to be from 9 am to 5 pm. Commerce City Page 1 Marijuana Licensing Authority Meeting Minutes - Final April 22, 2016 In response to questions from Attorney Pollock, Ms. McKearn stated that security cameras and an employee handbook will assist in preventing onsite consumption. Erin Holzer appeared on behalf of the applicant and testifed to being the VP of Operations and developing the process for chocolate making. It is anticipated that Sima will have 3-5 employees. Peter Barsoom appeared on behalf of the applicant and testified that he is providing funding to the applicant. He explained that he was recently made aware of two civil lawsuits during the background investigation by Commerce City. He has resolved both issues and submitted a letter to the city regarding his failure to disclose the civil lawsuits. Licensing Authority Secretary Laura Bauer was sworn in and testified that the applicant had not demonstrated proof of possession of the property due to changes in the property ownership. Investigator Ken Coffey was sworn in and testified that he conducted the background investigation for this application. Mr. Coffey testified to finding two discrepencies in Mr. Barsoom's background report. He answered no to having any civil lawsuits, yet two were discovered. Mr. Barsoom was cooperative in his response to the diiscrepencies; however, the police department has a policy of recommending denial based on applicants providing false statements. No one else appeared to testify and Hearing Officer Ablao closed the public hearing and made the following findings: The adult inhabitants of the neighborhood desire the issuance of the license The number of type of businesses located in or near the neighborhood do not preclude the issuance of the license The applicant has not, at this time, demonstrated possession of the premises, but has 5 days to submit proof of possession of premises She will issue her ruling within 30 days. Pres 16-314 Application For A Retail Marijuana Store License at 5433 Quebec St. Submitted on behalf of TasteBudz, LLC Hearing Officer Ablao opened the public hearing. She stated that the authority's official file is admitted into the record for the hearing. Ashley Pollock appeared as attorney of record for the city. Appearing on behalf of the applicant: Alyson Jaen, Registration #47516 Jeremy Wysocki, Registration #37219 Gabriel Lindsay - sworn in Neelein Shead - sworn in Attorney Jaen gave a brief opening statement regarding the applicant meeting the licensing requirements of both the state and the city. The following were called forward as witnesses to testify to the moral character of the applicants and were sworn in. Patrick Johnson Commerce City Page 2 Marijuana Licensing Authority Meeting Minutes - Final April 22, 2016 Dr. Ryan Ross Austin Bakhtiary Bryce Moomaw was called forward and sworn in. Mr. Moomaw testified that he is a compliance contractor and has been hired by the applicant to assist in any compliance issues with setting up their new business. Gabriel Lindsay was called forward and sworn in. Mr. Lindsay testified that he is 50% owner of TasteBudz, LLC and that he has worked in the marijuana industry for two years. He stated that all employees will be trained through the state and they are working with the compliance consultant to draft a standard operating procedure manual. The operating hours will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. Mr. Lyndsay explained the discrepency is his application by stating that he wasn't aware that collection items were categorized as civil judgements. Neelein Shead was called forward and sworn in. Mr. Shead testified to his personal and professional background. He explained that he didn't understand that credit matters were considered civil judgements. He also stated that the background investigation form changed from when he initially filled it out to completing it a second time. While completing the updated form, he failed to list certain items. Investigator Coffey was sworn in and testified that he conducted the backkground investigation on this application. He reported the items he discovered that were contradictory to the answers provided on the application forms. Hearing Officer Ablao admitted all exhibits into evidence and closed the public hearing. She requested the applicant submit a floor plan that does not show medical dispensing since the application is only for retail. Ms. Ablao will issue her ruling within 30 days. Pres 16-315 Applications For Retail Marijuana Store, Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility, Medical Marijuana Center, and Optional Premises Cultivation Operation To Be Located at 5275 Quebec St. Unit 105 Submitted on Behalf of Wellness Center of the Rockies, Inc. Licensing Authority Secretary Laura Bauer informed Hearing Officer Ablao that the applicant has withdrawn their applications and a public hearing is no longer required. 4. Other Business There was no other business to come before the licensing authority. 5. Adjourn There being no further business to come before the Authority, the meeting adjourned at 3:50 pm. Respectfully Submitted By: ___________________________________ Laura J. Bauer, Secretary Commerce City Page 3