Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Gulf Breeze officials are looking at banning medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, arguing that residents in need have access to the drug in Pensacola.
The Gulf Breeze City Council on Wednesday evening voted to do research on how best to craft language for a ban, with the understanding that a ban can always be lifted.
City Councilman David Landfair, who made the motion to craft language to ban dispensaries, said he doesn't think the timing is right for dispensaries in the city.
"My sense is the community is not there yet," Landfair said after the meeting.
Medical marijuana was approved by more than 70 percent of Florida voters in the November election and Amendment 2 took effect on Jan. 3. Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation on June 23 to implement the approved amendment.
Scott previously signed laws in 2014 and 2016 to allow people who suffer from epilepsy, chronic muscle spasms, cancer and terminal conditions to receive either low-THC cannabis or full-strength medical marijuana. The current law adds access for patients with HIV and AIDS, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, ALS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and similar conditions.
Gulf Breeze Mayor Matt Dannheisser said the city needs to gather more information on the dispensaries before moving forward. Dannheisser and Landfair both said they want to make sure those in Gulf Breeze who need medical marijuana can get it, and given its availability in Pensacola, they don't feel the need now to allow dispensaries in Gulf Breeze.
"Foremost among my concerns is people in Gulf Breeze are not unduly burdened," Dannheisser said after the meeting. "We want to make sure those who need it can get it."
Dannheisser said about 79 percent of voters in Gulf Breeze were in favor of Amendment 2. But the city needs to consider where a dispensary might be located, and if residents are in favor of dispensaries before the council goes ahead with approving them for the city.
Randy Hebert is one Gulf Breeze resident in favor of the dispensaries. Hebert said his son has epilepsy and his wife suffers from a form of neuropathy, and both might benefit from medical marijuana. Hebert, though, doesn't want the city to make a hasty decision.
"It seemed like they have a stigma with medical marijuana that they didn't want to touch," said Hebert after addressing the council, adding he's known several people who've had excellent results from its use.
"It's a chemical and because it's called marijuana, there's a stigma attached," Hebert said.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Gulf Breeze eyes banning medical marijuana dispensaries in the city
Author: Anne Delaney
Contact: Pensacola News Journal Contact Form | Pensacola News Journal
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Home | Pensacola News Journal | pnj.com
The Gulf Breeze City Council on Wednesday evening voted to do research on how best to craft language for a ban, with the understanding that a ban can always be lifted.
City Councilman David Landfair, who made the motion to craft language to ban dispensaries, said he doesn't think the timing is right for dispensaries in the city.
"My sense is the community is not there yet," Landfair said after the meeting.
Medical marijuana was approved by more than 70 percent of Florida voters in the November election and Amendment 2 took effect on Jan. 3. Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation on June 23 to implement the approved amendment.
Scott previously signed laws in 2014 and 2016 to allow people who suffer from epilepsy, chronic muscle spasms, cancer and terminal conditions to receive either low-THC cannabis or full-strength medical marijuana. The current law adds access for patients with HIV and AIDS, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, ALS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and similar conditions.
Gulf Breeze Mayor Matt Dannheisser said the city needs to gather more information on the dispensaries before moving forward. Dannheisser and Landfair both said they want to make sure those in Gulf Breeze who need medical marijuana can get it, and given its availability in Pensacola, they don't feel the need now to allow dispensaries in Gulf Breeze.
"Foremost among my concerns is people in Gulf Breeze are not unduly burdened," Dannheisser said after the meeting. "We want to make sure those who need it can get it."
Dannheisser said about 79 percent of voters in Gulf Breeze were in favor of Amendment 2. But the city needs to consider where a dispensary might be located, and if residents are in favor of dispensaries before the council goes ahead with approving them for the city.
Randy Hebert is one Gulf Breeze resident in favor of the dispensaries. Hebert said his son has epilepsy and his wife suffers from a form of neuropathy, and both might benefit from medical marijuana. Hebert, though, doesn't want the city to make a hasty decision.
"It seemed like they have a stigma with medical marijuana that they didn't want to touch," said Hebert after addressing the council, adding he's known several people who've had excellent results from its use.
"It's a chemical and because it's called marijuana, there's a stigma attached," Hebert said.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Gulf Breeze eyes banning medical marijuana dispensaries in the city
Author: Anne Delaney
Contact: Pensacola News Journal Contact Form | Pensacola News Journal
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Home | Pensacola News Journal | pnj.com
