Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has delayed decision on whether to impose a year-long moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries.
County commissioners approved the first of two votes to impose the moratorium last month, and had been set to take up the second vote at their meeting Thursday night.
The moratorium was first proposed by commission chairman Grover Robinson, but Robinson was out of town on personal travel and asked his fellow commissioners to hold off voting on the moratorium until he returns. As a result, commissioners postponed the vote to their Aug. 18 meeting.
Robinson proposed the moratorium to give county staff the time to figure out how medical marijuana dispensaries will fit within the county's zoning laws.
Plans were recently announced for a medical marijuana dispensary to open within Pensacola city limits. For zoning considerations, the city is treating medical marijuana dispensaries as though they are pharmacies.
Several speakers turned out to the county commission meeting Thursday night to speak out against the moratorium.
"A moratorium on medical marijuana is not needed and is an affront to those who need it," said Claude Gillette, one of the speakers.
After hearing from the public, commissioners discussed the issue among themselves and largely agreed that they would not delay marijuana dispensaries from opening here, especially given that it will require a prescription to obtain marijuana treatments.
"I can't imagine this board is going to stand in the way of something that is an empathetic use," Barry said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Dispensary Moratorium Decision Delayed
Author: Will Isern
Contact: 850-435-8500
Photo Credit: AP
Website: Pensacola News Journal
County commissioners approved the first of two votes to impose the moratorium last month, and had been set to take up the second vote at their meeting Thursday night.
The moratorium was first proposed by commission chairman Grover Robinson, but Robinson was out of town on personal travel and asked his fellow commissioners to hold off voting on the moratorium until he returns. As a result, commissioners postponed the vote to their Aug. 18 meeting.
Robinson proposed the moratorium to give county staff the time to figure out how medical marijuana dispensaries will fit within the county's zoning laws.
Plans were recently announced for a medical marijuana dispensary to open within Pensacola city limits. For zoning considerations, the city is treating medical marijuana dispensaries as though they are pharmacies.
Several speakers turned out to the county commission meeting Thursday night to speak out against the moratorium.
"A moratorium on medical marijuana is not needed and is an affront to those who need it," said Claude Gillette, one of the speakers.
After hearing from the public, commissioners discussed the issue among themselves and largely agreed that they would not delay marijuana dispensaries from opening here, especially given that it will require a prescription to obtain marijuana treatments.
"I can't imagine this board is going to stand in the way of something that is an empathetic use," Barry said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Dispensary Moratorium Decision Delayed
Author: Will Isern
Contact: 850-435-8500
Photo Credit: AP
Website: Pensacola News Journal
