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With the possibility of Proposition 203 passing on Nov. 2, the Arizona League of Cities and Towns is warning municipalities statewide to update zoning codes for the legalized use of medical marijuana.
Benson City Manager Glenn Nichols said they are taking the warning seriously, and city officials have started talking about how zoning codes should be set if Proposition 203 ends up passing.
If approved, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns said they will give guidance to cities, but zoning ordinances would need to be passed by March of next year to stay ahead of when the law would go into effect.
Nichols said he's not convinced the bill will pass, but noted you never know what voters will decide.
Proposition 203 is asking voters to consider approving the legal use of medical marijuana.
A yes vote would authorize the use of marijuana for people with debilitating medical conditions who obtain a written certification from a physician. It would establish a regulatory system governed by the Arizona Department of Health Services for licensing medical marijuana dispensaries.
With strict guidelines laid out in the ballot measure, Arizona would only have 124 dispensaries.
Those dispensaries will have to be 500 feet away from schools, and cities will have to pass zoning regulations in preparation of businesses coming to town.
Nichols said Benson has the characteristics that would fit such a business.
If voters reject Proposition 203 in the general election, the current laws will remain in place.
The Secretary of State received more arguments against the proposition than in favor of it.
With three arguments in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, there were 11 arguments against it.
Arguments in favor of medical marijuana use say it would benefit thousands of Arizonans who have been deemed terminally ill.
Arguments against the proposition, say this is just a way for people to find a way to smoke pot legally. Others stress that the Food and Drug Administration have not even approved medical marijuana as a reasonable treatment.
Richard Searle, of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors, said he doesn't think there will be a need to change zoning codes, because he doesn't expect dispensaries to come into county land.
"I'm not sure it's going to affect us too much, but the staff is aware of it, and we will discuss it," he said. "I'm not really panicking over it. We've still got a lot of time."
If passed, if would take several months before Proposition 203 becomes law.
If approved by voters, Arizona would be the 15th state to approve medical marijuana use.
California started the trend with a voter-approved initiative in 1996. New Jersey's voters approved a similar initiative this year.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source:bensonnews-sun.com
Author: Thelma Grimes
Contact: San Pedro Valley News-Sun | Benson, Arizona > Our Newspaper > Contact Us
Copyright: 2010 San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Website:San Pedro Valley News-Sun | Benson, Arizona > News > City mindful of zoning issues if voters OK medical marijuana
Benson City Manager Glenn Nichols said they are taking the warning seriously, and city officials have started talking about how zoning codes should be set if Proposition 203 ends up passing.
If approved, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns said they will give guidance to cities, but zoning ordinances would need to be passed by March of next year to stay ahead of when the law would go into effect.
Nichols said he's not convinced the bill will pass, but noted you never know what voters will decide.
Proposition 203 is asking voters to consider approving the legal use of medical marijuana.
A yes vote would authorize the use of marijuana for people with debilitating medical conditions who obtain a written certification from a physician. It would establish a regulatory system governed by the Arizona Department of Health Services for licensing medical marijuana dispensaries.
With strict guidelines laid out in the ballot measure, Arizona would only have 124 dispensaries.
Those dispensaries will have to be 500 feet away from schools, and cities will have to pass zoning regulations in preparation of businesses coming to town.
Nichols said Benson has the characteristics that would fit such a business.
If voters reject Proposition 203 in the general election, the current laws will remain in place.
The Secretary of State received more arguments against the proposition than in favor of it.
With three arguments in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, there were 11 arguments against it.
Arguments in favor of medical marijuana use say it would benefit thousands of Arizonans who have been deemed terminally ill.
Arguments against the proposition, say this is just a way for people to find a way to smoke pot legally. Others stress that the Food and Drug Administration have not even approved medical marijuana as a reasonable treatment.
Richard Searle, of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors, said he doesn't think there will be a need to change zoning codes, because he doesn't expect dispensaries to come into county land.
"I'm not sure it's going to affect us too much, but the staff is aware of it, and we will discuss it," he said. "I'm not really panicking over it. We've still got a lot of time."
If passed, if would take several months before Proposition 203 becomes law.
If approved by voters, Arizona would be the 15th state to approve medical marijuana use.
California started the trend with a voter-approved initiative in 1996. New Jersey's voters approved a similar initiative this year.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source:bensonnews-sun.com
Author: Thelma Grimes
Contact: San Pedro Valley News-Sun | Benson, Arizona > Our Newspaper > Contact Us
Copyright: 2010 San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Website:San Pedro Valley News-Sun | Benson, Arizona > News > City mindful of zoning issues if voters OK medical marijuana
