Aspen’s only pot edibles business re-approved

Pitkin County commissioners on Wednesday reapproved a license for the only marijuana-edibles production facility in the county with minor changes.

Todd Gardner’s Cannabis Queen Jerky received no complaints during the past year and no violations after two separate inspections by Pitkin County’s Environmental Health Deptartment, said Jeanette Jones, the county board clerk and Kurt Dahl, environmental director.

Commissioners amended the conditions attached to Gardner’s infused bison jerky business to allow him to use one solid color in addition to black and white on his packaging to differentiate various flavors he said he plans to introduce. He currently only offers hot and spicy and teriyaki flavors.

In addition, Gardner will no longer have to translate his entire label into Spanish and will instead be allowed to include just one Spanish sentence indicating that the product contains marijuana and is for adults only.

Gardner — who also owns High Mountain Taxi — produces the jerky at his taxi facility at the Aspen Business Center. His application was first approved a year ago after much hand-wringing from county board members.

The jerky is now for sale in more than 300 dispensaries statewide, Gardner has said.