TARPON SPRINGS – The city is looking to alter its laws regarding medical marijuana within city limits due to new state laws.
In early May, the city held its second and final reading of the ordinance repealing the temporary moratorium on medical cannabis. In April, the City Commission passed a series of amendments that regulated where medical marijuana dispensing facilities could be operated.
The commission decided to regulate the dispensaries to the Highway Business Zoning District, which lies within the U.S. 19 corridor.
On June 12, the Legislature passed a law that allows a county or city to completely ban “medical marijuana treatment centers,” as they are referred to in legislation.
Oldsmar decided to go the ban route, on Nov. 20.
If a city decides not to ban dispensaries, the state bill states they cannot restrict the number of facilities allowed within the city limits, and they cannot have ordinances on the books regulating the facilities any more than pharmacies. Cities also cannot charge a license or permit fee greater than that of pharmacies.
Because permitting and ordinance requirements cannot be more restrictive than requirements for existing pharmacies, regulating the facilities to the Highway Business Zoning District is now out of the question.
“Short of rewriting your entire pharmacy legislation, you have a choice where you either ban the use completely from the city, or we’d need to get some direction in amending the ordinance,” Urwiller said. “It’s really a very limited discussion at this point.”
For Mayor Chris Alahouzos, the decision was simple. He reminded commissioners and the audience that 75 percent of Pinellas County voted in favor of legalizing medical marijuana.
Commissioner David Banther, who said he voted in favor of medicinal marijuana use, agreed. Tarpon Springs was one of the first cities locally to move forward with putting ordinances on the books regarding dispensaries, he noted.
“I think what’s given at Walgreens is far worse than anything you’re going to get from medical marijuana,” Banther said. He added that he agreed that they should be treated as pharmacies due to their medicinal-only use, though he understands that there is still a stigma. With that, he asked that any locations blend into the community.
The commission deferred to Urwiller’s expertise to formulate an ordinance that made sense for the city within the new regulations.
Commissioner Susan Miccio-Kikta is confident that Urwiller and her team can come up with something.
“I know there is a way we can do this,” Kikta said. “I have all the faith in Heather because Heather can make anything happen.”
credit:suncoastnews.com