Bismarck – County leaders from all 53 counties met to discuss what’s important to their area. Today was the first full day of the Association of Counties annual conference.
Among the many items discussed — the process of legalizing medical marijuana.
And it was a packed room — as county leaders get a briefing on the state’s plans.
It will be in the hands of patients sometime next year, and county officials and commissioners were filled in on what it means for them.
Aaron Birst, Legal Council with the Association of Counties, says, “Counties and cities are going to have to figure out how do they structure their zoning laws to make sure they are in the right places as opposed as to siting next to a school.”
North Dakota is taking careful steps in medical marijuana compared to the state of Washington.
Axel Swanson, Research Director for the Association of Counties in Washington, says ,”If you looked at the medical marijuana statutory and regulatory scheme that exists in Washington today, you could compare it to what North Dakota has worked to put into play.”
Washington state had very loose laws in the beginning and now have learned and made changes along the way, but they do have $120,000,000 in sales each month.
North Dakota has a pretty strict plan, but there is still a lot to do.
Birst says, “We first have to figure out who can sell it who can grow it and then we’ll move in to who can use it and at that point we’ll have more understanding at where these things should be set up.”
When it comes to the individual counties in North Dakota, zoning laws prove to be a challenge.
“We have to figure out how to regulate it, working with the state, and where the placement should be in terms of the county zoning,” adds Birst.
The placement of a dispensary and compassion center have to be carefully placed in a no school zone, nor can any one consume or have possession of medical marijuana around or near school events.
The conference wraps up tomorrow.
Other topics include Drone usage, Truck permitting, and tax assessment for counties.
There was even a session on DAPL management more specifically geared towards Morton County officials.
credit:myndnow.com
