Jacob Bell
New Member
Lake Havasu City - City officials seem to agree that the worst thing to do about medical marijuana dispensaries in the city is nothing.
The City Council could adopt an ordinance amendment at 6 p.m. tonight in city council chambers that would allow at least one medical marijuana dispensary in Lake Havasu City. Arizona voters approved Proposition 203 in November by a 50.13 percent to 49.87 percent margin. Prop. 203 allows for the use, sale and growing of medical marijuana. The Act “specifically grants cities and counties the authority to enact reasonable zoning regulations that limit the use of land for registered nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries to specified areas,” according to city documents.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5 to 2 earlier this month for the code amendment that includes provisions that prevent the operation of a medical marijuana business within 500 feet of any church, school, residential zoning boundary and public park. The amendment also prevents medical marijuana businesses from being within 1,000 feet of one another as well as a few other zoning specifications. Development Services Director Larry Didion said, after regulations, the city has at least 160 possible lots that meet zoning requirements.
“We’re looking at the latest regulations coming out of (Arizona Department of Health Services) and it’s looking like we’re going to have one or two and we have plenty of room for that,” Didion said.
City Manager Charlie Cassens said previously that the council, like the Planning and Zoning Commission, would only be able to take limited action.
“The legislation that was passed prohibits the city from controlling the sale of medical marijuana with the exception of zoning,” said City Manager Charlie Cassens earlier this month. “What we can do is control where the dispensaries and grow operations are and that's the process that is going on right now and that’s what the Planning and Zoning Commission will be discussing.”
Mayor Mark Nexsen said the decision seems clear, but also difficult.
“It’s a decision, that first of all, we do have to make,” Nexsen said. “That’s because under (the law), medical marijuana will be legal and we don’t have an option there. It’s a difficult process because: one, the state hasn’t finalized the regulations and two, while we want to be restrictive, we can’t be too restrictive.”
Councilman Dean Barlow agreed.
“There are still a lot of unanswered questions coming down from the state, but we have to make a decision to allow them,” Barlow said. “I think that’s the consensus, although I haven’t polled the council. I think if we have a whole bunch of people growing their own, it’s going to be a mess to regulate and that can’t happen.”
Mohave County planning and zoning officials are also expected to address the issue at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Kingman. Phoenix officials agreed earlier this week that dispensaries would only be allowed in strip malls and commercial centers. Other regulations also included locations that must be at least 250 feet from residential areas, 1,320 feet from schools, 500 feet from churches, and at least one mile apart, according to the associated press. State officials have reported previously that about 125 dispensaries will open around the state by mid-2011.
News Hawk- GuitarMan313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: havasunews.com
Author: Nathan Bruttell
Contact: Today's News-Herald
Copyright: Today's News-Herald
Website: Today's News-Herald
The City Council could adopt an ordinance amendment at 6 p.m. tonight in city council chambers that would allow at least one medical marijuana dispensary in Lake Havasu City. Arizona voters approved Proposition 203 in November by a 50.13 percent to 49.87 percent margin. Prop. 203 allows for the use, sale and growing of medical marijuana. The Act “specifically grants cities and counties the authority to enact reasonable zoning regulations that limit the use of land for registered nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries to specified areas,” according to city documents.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5 to 2 earlier this month for the code amendment that includes provisions that prevent the operation of a medical marijuana business within 500 feet of any church, school, residential zoning boundary and public park. The amendment also prevents medical marijuana businesses from being within 1,000 feet of one another as well as a few other zoning specifications. Development Services Director Larry Didion said, after regulations, the city has at least 160 possible lots that meet zoning requirements.
“We’re looking at the latest regulations coming out of (Arizona Department of Health Services) and it’s looking like we’re going to have one or two and we have plenty of room for that,” Didion said.
City Manager Charlie Cassens said previously that the council, like the Planning and Zoning Commission, would only be able to take limited action.
“The legislation that was passed prohibits the city from controlling the sale of medical marijuana with the exception of zoning,” said City Manager Charlie Cassens earlier this month. “What we can do is control where the dispensaries and grow operations are and that's the process that is going on right now and that’s what the Planning and Zoning Commission will be discussing.”
Mayor Mark Nexsen said the decision seems clear, but also difficult.
“It’s a decision, that first of all, we do have to make,” Nexsen said. “That’s because under (the law), medical marijuana will be legal and we don’t have an option there. It’s a difficult process because: one, the state hasn’t finalized the regulations and two, while we want to be restrictive, we can’t be too restrictive.”
Councilman Dean Barlow agreed.
“There are still a lot of unanswered questions coming down from the state, but we have to make a decision to allow them,” Barlow said. “I think that’s the consensus, although I haven’t polled the council. I think if we have a whole bunch of people growing their own, it’s going to be a mess to regulate and that can’t happen.”
Mohave County planning and zoning officials are also expected to address the issue at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Kingman. Phoenix officials agreed earlier this week that dispensaries would only be allowed in strip malls and commercial centers. Other regulations also included locations that must be at least 250 feet from residential areas, 1,320 feet from schools, 500 feet from churches, and at least one mile apart, according to the associated press. State officials have reported previously that about 125 dispensaries will open around the state by mid-2011.
News Hawk- GuitarMan313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: havasunews.com
Author: Nathan Bruttell
Contact: Today's News-Herald
Copyright: Today's News-Herald
Website: Today's News-Herald
