Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Marathon City Council members on Tuesday approved an ordinance to pass a three-month moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in the city while the state Department of Health writes rules to regulate them.
Councilman Mark Senmartin brought it up in response to state constitutional Amendment 2, which allows legal medical marijuana as a treatment for patients with specific diseases. Florida voters passed it Nov. 8 with 71 percent of the vote, far more than the 60 percent needed. In 2014, it failed with 58 percent voting for it.
"I don't have a problem with medical marijuana," Senmartin said. "I'm in favor of it, but dispensaries will be opening so I just want to be ahead of the curve so we can have some control over it."
The discussion revolved around businesses and where they'll be able to operate, which is unclear while the state Department of Health writes the rules. The state rules become effective on Jan. 3.
Senmartin said potential cannabis growers have placed phone calls to the city wondering when and where they can open a business.
"To adequately protect the city, you might want to consider enacting a temporary moratorium for a set period of time. A lot of cities and counties around the state are taking this path so they can adequately study," City Attorney David Migut said.
Miami Beach passed a four-month ban on the opening of marijuana dispensaries in November, along with Panama City Beach for eight months and Coral Springs in Broward County for six months.
"Consider passing the moratorium so that there is no chance any sort of rules that are disadvantageous to us come into effect with us not having any zoning or other regulations in place," Migut said.
Council members directed Migut to draft the ordinance, which will be discussed at the Jan. 10 City Council meeting.
On Election Day, 76.7 percent of Marathon voters, or 4,400 of 5,734, gave a thumbs up to legalizing medical marijuana for debilitating medical conditions, while 1,334 voted against it. The majority of Keys voters, 80.3 percent countywide, favored Amendment 2.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marathon Passes Three-Month Moratorium On Marijuana Dispensaries
Author: Katie Atkins
Contact: 305-743-5551
Photo Credit: Rina Castelnuovo
Website: FL Keys News
Councilman Mark Senmartin brought it up in response to state constitutional Amendment 2, which allows legal medical marijuana as a treatment for patients with specific diseases. Florida voters passed it Nov. 8 with 71 percent of the vote, far more than the 60 percent needed. In 2014, it failed with 58 percent voting for it.
"I don't have a problem with medical marijuana," Senmartin said. "I'm in favor of it, but dispensaries will be opening so I just want to be ahead of the curve so we can have some control over it."
The discussion revolved around businesses and where they'll be able to operate, which is unclear while the state Department of Health writes the rules. The state rules become effective on Jan. 3.
Senmartin said potential cannabis growers have placed phone calls to the city wondering when and where they can open a business.
"To adequately protect the city, you might want to consider enacting a temporary moratorium for a set period of time. A lot of cities and counties around the state are taking this path so they can adequately study," City Attorney David Migut said.
Miami Beach passed a four-month ban on the opening of marijuana dispensaries in November, along with Panama City Beach for eight months and Coral Springs in Broward County for six months.
"Consider passing the moratorium so that there is no chance any sort of rules that are disadvantageous to us come into effect with us not having any zoning or other regulations in place," Migut said.
Council members directed Migut to draft the ordinance, which will be discussed at the Jan. 10 City Council meeting.
On Election Day, 76.7 percent of Marathon voters, or 4,400 of 5,734, gave a thumbs up to legalizing medical marijuana for debilitating medical conditions, while 1,334 voted against it. The majority of Keys voters, 80.3 percent countywide, favored Amendment 2.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marathon Passes Three-Month Moratorium On Marijuana Dispensaries
Author: Katie Atkins
Contact: 305-743-5551
Photo Credit: Rina Castelnuovo
Website: FL Keys News
