Robert Celt
New Member
For better or for worse, the growth, dispensing and processing of medical cannabis is now legal in Charles County.
The Charles County Board of Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve a zoning text amendment regulating medical cannabis in Charles County, with County Commissioners' Vice President Debra Davis (D) being the lone vote of dissent. Commissioner Bobby Rucci (D) was absent.
County Commissioners' President Peter Murphy (D) said the board is only following state regulated law. The entire purpose of the day is to "comply with state law," he said, and provide zoning regulations for applicants.
"We certainly know its not recreational [drug use], it has nothing to do with that," Murphy said. "It doesn't even guarantee anybody that they'll have a business here. They've got to go to the [state medical cannabis] commission and, even then, it's competitive with senate districts."
County Commissioner Ken Robinson (D) said he wanted to make it clear that the county is not doing anything outside of the state law. Robinson said residents should know the county is only zoning for medical cannabis, not legalizing recreational marijuana.
While acknowledging the state law, Davis said she still does not believe the county has fully vetted the issue of medical cannabis and does not believe that it is in the best interest of the county. While the state has its own law, she said, the county commissioners are determining what the laws are for their jurisdiction, not the state.
"I don't know that we have looked at all of the pros and cons on this," Davis said.
Murphy said some jurisdictions have chosen to disobey state law and asked for an exemption from the state, but said he is not aware of any exemptions that have been granted.
"We'd have to go to the state and say 'We want you to exempt us from this,'" Murphy said. "I think that's what Calvert has done, but I'm not aware of any exemptions that have been granted."
Growing medical cannabis as an agricultural use has been legal in St. Mary's, Calvert and Charles counties. But, outside of Charles County, no other Southern Maryland jurisdiction has implemented zoning regulations for medical cannabis sales.
Applicants are still in the process of being approved by the state's Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. Both processing and dispensary facilities must be 1,000 feet from the property line of any school, day care facility, rehab facility and any other process or dispensary facility.
The zoning text amendment will take effect in Charles County in 45 days.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Charles, MD Commissioners Vote To Approve Medical Cannabis Zoning
Author: Micheal D Sykes
Contact: SoMdNews
Photo Credit: Justin Tang
Website: SoMdNews
The Charles County Board of Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve a zoning text amendment regulating medical cannabis in Charles County, with County Commissioners' Vice President Debra Davis (D) being the lone vote of dissent. Commissioner Bobby Rucci (D) was absent.
County Commissioners' President Peter Murphy (D) said the board is only following state regulated law. The entire purpose of the day is to "comply with state law," he said, and provide zoning regulations for applicants.
"We certainly know its not recreational [drug use], it has nothing to do with that," Murphy said. "It doesn't even guarantee anybody that they'll have a business here. They've got to go to the [state medical cannabis] commission and, even then, it's competitive with senate districts."
County Commissioner Ken Robinson (D) said he wanted to make it clear that the county is not doing anything outside of the state law. Robinson said residents should know the county is only zoning for medical cannabis, not legalizing recreational marijuana.
While acknowledging the state law, Davis said she still does not believe the county has fully vetted the issue of medical cannabis and does not believe that it is in the best interest of the county. While the state has its own law, she said, the county commissioners are determining what the laws are for their jurisdiction, not the state.
"I don't know that we have looked at all of the pros and cons on this," Davis said.
Murphy said some jurisdictions have chosen to disobey state law and asked for an exemption from the state, but said he is not aware of any exemptions that have been granted.
"We'd have to go to the state and say 'We want you to exempt us from this,'" Murphy said. "I think that's what Calvert has done, but I'm not aware of any exemptions that have been granted."
Growing medical cannabis as an agricultural use has been legal in St. Mary's, Calvert and Charles counties. But, outside of Charles County, no other Southern Maryland jurisdiction has implemented zoning regulations for medical cannabis sales.
Applicants are still in the process of being approved by the state's Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. Both processing and dispensary facilities must be 1,000 feet from the property line of any school, day care facility, rehab facility and any other process or dispensary facility.
The zoning text amendment will take effect in Charles County in 45 days.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Charles, MD Commissioners Vote To Approve Medical Cannabis Zoning
Author: Micheal D Sykes
Contact: SoMdNews
Photo Credit: Justin Tang
Website: SoMdNews
