As Montana cities struggle with regulating medical marijuana businesses, a new shop prepares to open close to a Billings middleschool.
Some cities have placed moratoriums on new providers, Billings leaders have yet to come up with a plan.
"I'm concerned as a parent of a child that goes to Will James Middleschool," said Gary Lustgarten.
At the corner of Rehberg and Grand, Magic City Meds plans to open its doors. "We have to basically stop this from happening," said Lustgarten, "it's too close."
"Parents are hot, and for a good reason," said Billings Schools Superintendent Jack Copps, "common sense dictates that we shouldn't have places close to school that are growing and or dispensing marijuana."
"I'm not saying that this particular facility should not have the right to operate, they do," said Lustgarten, "but there has to be some type of guidelines."
Federal Guidelines say medical marijuana facilities should not be allowed within a thousand feet of a school, but so far the feds have left laws and regulations up to cities and states.
"It's probably more difficult to open a nail salon," said Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock, "you need more permits and requirements than a medical marijuana dispensary."
Councilman Denis Pitman tried to pass a zoning ordinance in October, but was rebuked for proposing restrictions similar to those imposed on sexually oriented businesses. He said only advocates turned out to speak, "there was just deafening silence." Instead the council relied on businesses to practice common sense until they could get a handle on the situation.
"We're going to do everything we can to prevent this from happening," said Jack Copps.
But that may be hard to do now. "The problem is we have over 70 applications," said Pitman, "we used to think that casinos were our problem, or pawn shops."
Pitman said the council will act quickly, but that could still take a couple of weeks, and certain business could be grandfathered in. He said public pressure may be more effective.
Outspoken Medical Marijuana Advocate Mark Higgins said he's disappointed by the business' location.
Calls to the owners of Magic City Meds were not returned.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: KULR-8
Author: Kyle Midura
Contact: KULR-8
Copyright: 2010 KULR-8
Website: Marijuana Business to Open Near School
Some cities have placed moratoriums on new providers, Billings leaders have yet to come up with a plan.
"I'm concerned as a parent of a child that goes to Will James Middleschool," said Gary Lustgarten.
At the corner of Rehberg and Grand, Magic City Meds plans to open its doors. "We have to basically stop this from happening," said Lustgarten, "it's too close."
"Parents are hot, and for a good reason," said Billings Schools Superintendent Jack Copps, "common sense dictates that we shouldn't have places close to school that are growing and or dispensing marijuana."
"I'm not saying that this particular facility should not have the right to operate, they do," said Lustgarten, "but there has to be some type of guidelines."
Federal Guidelines say medical marijuana facilities should not be allowed within a thousand feet of a school, but so far the feds have left laws and regulations up to cities and states.
"It's probably more difficult to open a nail salon," said Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock, "you need more permits and requirements than a medical marijuana dispensary."
Councilman Denis Pitman tried to pass a zoning ordinance in October, but was rebuked for proposing restrictions similar to those imposed on sexually oriented businesses. He said only advocates turned out to speak, "there was just deafening silence." Instead the council relied on businesses to practice common sense until they could get a handle on the situation.
"We're going to do everything we can to prevent this from happening," said Jack Copps.
But that may be hard to do now. "The problem is we have over 70 applications," said Pitman, "we used to think that casinos were our problem, or pawn shops."
Pitman said the council will act quickly, but that could still take a couple of weeks, and certain business could be grandfathered in. He said public pressure may be more effective.
Outspoken Medical Marijuana Advocate Mark Higgins said he's disappointed by the business' location.
Calls to the owners of Magic City Meds were not returned.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: KULR-8
Author: Kyle Midura
Contact: KULR-8
Copyright: 2010 KULR-8
Website: Marijuana Business to Open Near School
