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The future of marijuana pot clubs may be a little more clear Tuesday. Colorado Springs City Council will vote on a possible ban to the cannabis clubs.

Right now, it's illegal to sell marijuana in the City of Colorado Springs, but it's not illegal to run a marijuana club. Clubs were created so that people could use pot in a social environment.

Council member Don Knight said the first club opened two years ago.

“The first club started in 2014, and it was strictly, bring your own, it was not for any sales at all.”

Since then, City Council found some issues with the clubs. On Tuesday, leaders will vote on four different issues surrounding marijuana clubs.

Knight said the first issue doesn't have much impact to families.

“The first vote will be some housecleaning of moving all marijuana ordinances into a single chapter of code.”

Knight said the big vote about the future of the clubs will happen next.

"Will we ban the clubs? Or will we allow them in certain zones throughout the city?” he said.

If leader vote to ban the clubs, the existing clubs would be forced to close after five years.

"We figure five years is the minimum time that would give those club owner who invested a lot of money under existing rules be able to recoup their investment before they have to close their doors,” said Knight.

In February, the city hosted a public meeting where some residents argued that they want a place to use marijuana.

"I'm a recovering alcoholic," one person said. " don't want to go to bars to be in a social setting, I want to go to cannabis clubs and smoke pot safely in safe environment."

Knight said, "For people that just need somewhere to go to smoke recreational, I don’t think it’s the city’s job to provide them a place where they can go.”

If local leaders don't ban the clubs, new clubs would be able to open. However, city council wants to enforce new rules and regulations about where those clubs would be located. The existing clubs would be able to stay at their location.

Knight said he doesn't want the clubs put in residential neighborhoods. Many people have said they were never given notice of a new club near their home.

If city council decided to not ban marijuana clubs, they still want to discus possible new rules and regulations about where the clubs could open. City council is considering allow the clubs be built in industrial areas. Also, new restrictions would go into place.

“They won’t be able to have any inventory on site. No alcohol will be on site. They will also have to ensure that they put in the property ventilation and heat and air condition controls so that the odors are not permeating to what every store is next store,” said Knight.

In September, city council put a moratorium on new marijuana clubs for six months. It will expire in March.

Knight said that having marijuana in Colorado Springs just doesn't make sense.

"We are calling ourselves Olympic City USA, we are calling ourselves a military-friendly town... military does not allow it; Olympians they get tested, that’s not good for Olympians. It just doesn’t fit in the city.”

The meeting Tuesday will be open to the public. The final vote will happen March 22.

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November 2012

Voters in the State of Colorado pass the legalization of recreational marijuana.

July 2013

The City of Colorado Springs bans the sale of recreational marijuana in the city.

Feburary 2014

First marijuana club opens in Colorado Springs.

April 2014

Our partners at the Gazette reported that the city administation wanted to close a marijuana club located in downtown Colorado Springs. City Council voted to keep the club open because it met zoning codes and caused no harm.

Septmeber 2015

City Council put a temportary ban on any new mairjuana clubs in Colorado Springs. Moratorium is for six months.

March 8, 2016

City Council will vote whether to ban or not ban marijuana clubs in Colorado Springs.

March 22, 2016

City Council will vote again on the possible ban of marijuana clubs in Colorado Springs.

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