A milestone was reached in Mancos history Monday, Sept. 30, as officials unanimously approved the town's first medical marijuana dispensary.

After a public hearing where no one voiced opposition, Mancos town trustees approved a measure to allow businessmen Jim Cody to operate the town's first medical marijuana dispensary. The dispensary and cultivation facility is expected to open as early as 30 days.

"It would be nice to keep our own money in the community," one medical marijuana patient told trustees at the public hearing on Monday, Sept. 30.

Cody has partnered with the Beacon Wellness Group of Cortez to open the new venture at 385 N. Willow. The public hearing was the final step in a long regulatory process, he said.

"We've completed all of the permitting process," Cody said. "The state issued our license on Aug. 30, pending municipal approval."

Owner of the Mancos Valley Business Center in Mancos since 2004, Cody said he passed all of the necessary background checks and has spent more than $20,000 in non-refundable licensing fees to get his medical marijuana dispensary off the ground.

tbaker@cortezjournal.com