Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Parkland is readying for medical marijuana dispensaries by adding a slew of regulations.
Voters approved medical marijuana at the ballot in November. And Parkland's new rules prepare "the city to implement the will of the people," City Attorney Andrew Maurodis told the commission Wednesday night.
But the pages of rules, tentatively approved by the Parkland City Commission, might make it difficult for any dispensary to open. They limit dispensaries from opening anywhere except for an industrial area. Parkland doesn't have an industrial area. Maurodis said one could be created.
John Willis, a member of the city's Planning & Zoning Board, said the rules say "essentially, this is an upscale bedroom community and we don't think it should be located here.
"But since the state has allowed it by constitutional amendment, we've carved out a tiny window for it. And it's unlikely that window would ever open."
Among the city's rules:
- keeping dispensaries out of a 1,000-foot range of school, day care, place of worship or park, and 500 feet from a residential area.
- and prohibiting customers of dispensaries from loitering outside the building, including sitting in a parked car "for any period of time longer than that reasonably required to arrive and depart."
Still, the city has argued the move does not block dispensaries and instead makes it easier for shops to open. "It makes it possible because they now have a path, where one did not previously exist," said city spokesman Todd DeAngelis.
Parkland's approach differs from steps taken by some other South Florida cities.
Coral Springs, for example, approved a 180-day moratorium to give staff time to study regulations regarding medical marijuana on Dec. 7. Currently, there are no zoning regulations because it has been illegal. A moratorium would allow city staff to study the impact on crime and property values, traffic, a city memo stated.
Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach and Hallandale Beach also have temporarily banned marijuana dispensaries and treatment centers.
Under Amendment 2, which 71 percent of Florida voters approved on Nov. 8, medical marijuana can be used to help people with cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, PTSD, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis "or other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class."
Mayor Christine Hunschofsky said the city is being "proactive" by creating guidelines.
"If it's the law, you want ordinances in place to handle it," she said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Parkland Gives Initial OK To Law Regulating Marijuana Dispensaries
Author: Lisa J. Huriash
Contact: (954) 356-4000
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Sun Sentinel
Voters approved medical marijuana at the ballot in November. And Parkland's new rules prepare "the city to implement the will of the people," City Attorney Andrew Maurodis told the commission Wednesday night.
But the pages of rules, tentatively approved by the Parkland City Commission, might make it difficult for any dispensary to open. They limit dispensaries from opening anywhere except for an industrial area. Parkland doesn't have an industrial area. Maurodis said one could be created.
John Willis, a member of the city's Planning & Zoning Board, said the rules say "essentially, this is an upscale bedroom community and we don't think it should be located here.
"But since the state has allowed it by constitutional amendment, we've carved out a tiny window for it. And it's unlikely that window would ever open."
Among the city's rules:
- keeping dispensaries out of a 1,000-foot range of school, day care, place of worship or park, and 500 feet from a residential area.
- and prohibiting customers of dispensaries from loitering outside the building, including sitting in a parked car "for any period of time longer than that reasonably required to arrive and depart."
Still, the city has argued the move does not block dispensaries and instead makes it easier for shops to open. "It makes it possible because they now have a path, where one did not previously exist," said city spokesman Todd DeAngelis.
Parkland's approach differs from steps taken by some other South Florida cities.
Coral Springs, for example, approved a 180-day moratorium to give staff time to study regulations regarding medical marijuana on Dec. 7. Currently, there are no zoning regulations because it has been illegal. A moratorium would allow city staff to study the impact on crime and property values, traffic, a city memo stated.
Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach and Hallandale Beach also have temporarily banned marijuana dispensaries and treatment centers.
Under Amendment 2, which 71 percent of Florida voters approved on Nov. 8, medical marijuana can be used to help people with cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, PTSD, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis "or other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class."
Mayor Christine Hunschofsky said the city is being "proactive" by creating guidelines.
"If it's the law, you want ordinances in place to handle it," she said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Parkland Gives Initial OK To Law Regulating Marijuana Dispensaries
Author: Lisa J. Huriash
Contact: (954) 356-4000
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Sun Sentinel
