The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners has approved zoning regulations that will allow medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in certain parts of the county.

“It’s important to do something rather than nothing,” said commissioner Sallie Clark.

About two dozen people, including growers, dispensary owners and patients, packed a hearing room Thursday to listen to a surprisingly low-key debate on whether the commission should limit medical marijuana dispensaries through zoning regulations or impose a moratorium.

The majority of the speakers, including Colorado Springs City Councilman Tom Gallagher, urged the commission not to take any action until a task force has hashed out some of the issues. The city, he added, is in the process of developing its own ordinance and should have drafts available by Feb. 1.

But Clark said the commission needed to take action immediately. “If we wait any longer, we’re going to have more problems,” she said.

Knowing that a moratorium would almost certainly provoke lawsuits, the board unanimously voted to impose zoning regulations that would expire in six months. By then, commissioners are hopeful that the state Legislature will have passed new laws that will clarify the confusion.

“While I question the legitimacy of this business, I do understand that the constitution provided for it,” Clark said.

Colorado residents in 2000 approved an amendment to the state constitution allowing marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes only. But the loosely worded amendment has law enforcement authorities and local governments worried about a burgeoning black market fueled by illegal users.

The temporary regulations, which are modeled after rules that govern the location and operation of liquor stores and bars, prohibit dispensaries from operating within 500 feet of schools, colleges, parks and churches.

Commissioner Amy Lathen also suggested that the commission impose additional regulations regarding hours of operation, signs and warnings. “Let’s not pretend that there’s not abuse going on,” said Lathen.

Under the new regulations, marijuana dispensary operators and owners will be required to apply for a temporary use permit and a sales tax license.

Kenny Brock, the proprietor of Old World Pharmaceuticals, said he already has filled out the paperwork for his sales tax license.

Brock said he buys his marijuana from “licensed growers” and gets most of his customers by advertising on the Internet on a site called WeedMaps.com.

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This file art is from a Colorado Springs medical marijuana dispensary. Numbers released by Colorado state health officials on Thursday show that just 15 of 820 physicians who have recommended patients use marijuana are responsible for nearly 75 percent of the 15,800 patients. Photo by Gazette

Ted S. Warren