FL: Stuart To Consider Medical Marijuana Regulation Ahead Of Amendment 2 Vote

Katelyn Baker

Well-Known Member
Stuart - The city is considering medical marijuana treatment center regulation in Stuart, an initiative that comes as Florida voters decide whether to allow medical marijuana for patients with debilitating diseases.

Amendment 2 on the Florida ballot seeks to allow medical marijuana use for those with cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, epilepsy, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease and other conditions.

Stuart seeks to designate an area where medical marijuana treatment centers can open. The proposed area is roughly bound by the St. Lucie River on the north, Southeast Ocean Boulevard and Fifth Street on the south, Georgia Avenue on the west and Palm Beach Road on the east.

It's an effort to avoid having a medical marijuana treatment center open next to a school or a residential area, Commissioner Troy McDonald said.

"We regulate alcohol establishments. We regulate pain-management establishments. In the same way, we can regulate medical marijuana establishments," he said.

Stuart also is considering prohibiting such centers from opening 300 feet from another medical marijuana center or pain-management clinic; in the same office where a pain-management clinic or a pharmacy is located; 200 feet from a pharmacy or a pain-management clinic; and 250 feet from certain roads in the city, Dixie Highway, parts of East Ocean Boulevard, Kanner Highway and Colorado Avenue. That regulation may be tweaked before it comes up for a vote by the City Commission.

If Amendment 2 passes in the Nov. 8 election, the Local Planning Agency would consider the proposal on Nov. 17. Then, the City Commission would hold a preliminary vote on the regulation on Nov. 28 and give it a final vote on Dec. 12.

Medical marijuana treatment centers could be facilities where medical marijuana is cultivated, transported, sold or administered, according to the proposed amendment.

Stuart is not the only Treasure Coast local government considering regulating medical marijuana treatment centers. The Indian River County Commission last week approved regulation over such centers that limits where such facilities can open.

More on Amendment 2

If passed:

  • Medical marijuana treatment centers are to be registered with the Florida Department of Health.
  • The department would issue identification cards to patients and caregivers.
  • Caregivers are those who assist patients with the use of medical marijuana and are prohibited from using medical marijuana.
  • Patients who qualify for medical marijuana would need a physician certification that states the patient suffers from a debilitating condition

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News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Stuart To Consider Medical Marijuana Regulation Ahead Of Amendment 2 Vote
Author: Lidia Dinkova
Contact: (772) 287-1550
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