Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Thinking legislators in Tallahassee would come up with some statewide guidelines on the sale of medical marijuana, Palm Beach County officials held off on writing their own ordinance.
But this year's session came and went, and no such statewide guideline emerged. So, the county is moving ahead on its own.
"We are working on an ordinance," Zoning Director John MacGillis told commissioners Thursday.
No word yet on what will be in that ordinance, but MacGillis said a draft of it could be ready "this fall or even sooner."
By then, the state Department of Health may have acted to establish rules for the sale and cultivation of marijuana. That is assuming legislators don't hold a special session before that to put their stamp on the rules.
In November, large majorities of voters across the state and in Palm Beach County approved a change to the Florida Constitution to allow the medical use of marijuana, claimed by supporters to be an effective treatment for painful or otherwise difficult to treat maladies.
The amendment specifies that key regulations be laid out by July 3. The first patients are supposed to get their IDs by Sept. 3 to obtain the drug.
State legislators were to set guidelines this year, and several governments, including Palm Beach County, passed moratoriums giving them time to see what came out of Tallahassee.
The moratoriums put local government officials under some pressure, as supporters of the expanded use of medical marijuana reminded them of their suffering and of the broad backing voters had given medical marijuana use in November.
Passing a one-year moratorium earlier this year, Palm Beach County commissioners made it clear they understood and would respect the will of the voters.
"I know my office hears from people who are caretakers or who are ill who are looking forward to the medical marijuana to help with healing," County Mayor Paulette Burdick said.
The state House overwhelmingly passed legislation that would allow more than a dozen marijuana operators to work in the state with unlimited retail locations.
The Senate, however, passed its own bill and would not go along with the House bill. The session ended with no guidelines approved.
Absent legislative action, the rules fall to the executive branch's Department of Health, which is expected to act by July. Commissioners were disappointed lawmakers didn't act.
"They have frustrated the will of the voter," said County Commissioner Dave Kerner, a former state House member. "They have frustrated us on this board. We are left with our hands tied. It's important for our constituents to know they have left us in a state of flux."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana in Palm Beach County? Rules coming
Author: Wayne Washington
Contact: https://myaccount.palmbeachpost.com/feedback.aspx
Photo Credit: Glen Stubbe
Website: The Palm Beach Post | MyPalmBeachPost.com
But this year's session came and went, and no such statewide guideline emerged. So, the county is moving ahead on its own.
"We are working on an ordinance," Zoning Director John MacGillis told commissioners Thursday.
No word yet on what will be in that ordinance, but MacGillis said a draft of it could be ready "this fall or even sooner."
By then, the state Department of Health may have acted to establish rules for the sale and cultivation of marijuana. That is assuming legislators don't hold a special session before that to put their stamp on the rules.
In November, large majorities of voters across the state and in Palm Beach County approved a change to the Florida Constitution to allow the medical use of marijuana, claimed by supporters to be an effective treatment for painful or otherwise difficult to treat maladies.
The amendment specifies that key regulations be laid out by July 3. The first patients are supposed to get their IDs by Sept. 3 to obtain the drug.
State legislators were to set guidelines this year, and several governments, including Palm Beach County, passed moratoriums giving them time to see what came out of Tallahassee.
The moratoriums put local government officials under some pressure, as supporters of the expanded use of medical marijuana reminded them of their suffering and of the broad backing voters had given medical marijuana use in November.
Passing a one-year moratorium earlier this year, Palm Beach County commissioners made it clear they understood and would respect the will of the voters.
"I know my office hears from people who are caretakers or who are ill who are looking forward to the medical marijuana to help with healing," County Mayor Paulette Burdick said.
The state House overwhelmingly passed legislation that would allow more than a dozen marijuana operators to work in the state with unlimited retail locations.
The Senate, however, passed its own bill and would not go along with the House bill. The session ended with no guidelines approved.
Absent legislative action, the rules fall to the executive branch's Department of Health, which is expected to act by July. Commissioners were disappointed lawmakers didn't act.
"They have frustrated the will of the voter," said County Commissioner Dave Kerner, a former state House member. "They have frustrated us on this board. We are left with our hands tied. It's important for our constituents to know they have left us in a state of flux."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana in Palm Beach County? Rules coming
Author: Wayne Washington
Contact: https://myaccount.palmbeachpost.com/feedback.aspx
Photo Credit: Glen Stubbe
Website: The Palm Beach Post | MyPalmBeachPost.com
