Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
As Anne Arundel County works toward a compromise on rules governing the medical marijuana business, Annapolis appears willing to approve dispensaries within city limits.
Mayor Mike Pantelides said he is opposed to an outright ban on the medicinal cannabis businesses as proposed by county Executive Steve Schuh.
"People should be able to get the medicine they need," Pantelides said.
City Council members, meanwhile, said they are waiting to see what the county does before moving ahead with its own legislation.
The County Council will begin work this week on two bills governing growing, processing and selling medical marijuana. Schuh acknowledged last week his legislation is unlikely to pass in its current form, but that he expects a vigorous debate over the issue.
Whatever the county does, Annapolis officials has its own power to approve dispensaries and other businesses permitted by state law. Some companies already have approached the city about opening dispensaries.
The city doesn't have any plans to ban the substance, but Pantelides didn't rule out regulating where dispensaries would be located. He raised concerns about putting them too close to schools or churches.
County officials said they were aware of the mayor's position. The county executive has made his position on medical marijuana known, but "we support the independence of the city," said Owen McEvoy, county spokesman.
John Pica, former state lawmaker who now represents a medical marijuana group, said dispensary businesses understand the concerns of putting the facility near public structures.
There is support for regulation, but there is no reason to ban something that people use to treat illnesses, Pica said.
Pica's client, CBD Wellness Group, is looking to open a dispensary in Glen Burnie. When opening a new location, it should be a stand-alone building with a garage that allows for 24-hour security, he said.
Downtown Annapolis wouldn't be ideal, as it is too close to residential areas, but Pica said something like West Street could work.
"There is concern that parents and school officials have ... it is a public perception issue we try to meet," Pica said.
Still, it is a long way from the Reefer Madness days.
Schuh's marijuana bill wasn't a complete surprise – he did oppose it as a state lawmaker. Earlier this year, the General Assembly left it up to local jurisdictions on how they wished to regulate the drug.
The county executive views the state law as having "too many loopholes" and "could open the door to widespread medical marijuana use," he wrote in an guest column for The Capital.
Schuh said he weighed the needs of the ill with his desire to prevent recreational use of the drug and drafted legislation he felt met that balance.
"No one wants to prevent the sick from being able to use the medicine they need, which is why this zoning proposal does nothing to prevent those with serious medical conditions from possessing, using or transporting medical marijuana in Anne Arundel County," Schuh wrote.
The legality of a local ban on medical marijuana came after the state law's author, Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-Baltimore County, sought an opinion from the Attorney General's Office. An assistant attorney general compared it to a county outlawing alcohol sales.
"Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh's position on medical cannabis is both disappointing and baffling," Zirkin wrote in an op-ed for The Capital last month. "And it cannot be permitted to stand."
The move toward a compromise became clear last week, when County Council Vice Chairman Pete Smith, D-Severn, told the Capital-Gazette editorial board that he would not vote for Schuh's bill. Three other council members have sponsored competing legislation that would allow marijuana businesses in the county, but Smith said it might be too open to win his support.
Schuh admitted last week he no longer expects the bill to pass in its "precise form." Amendments would push approval back to at least the Nov. 2 County Council meeting.
As the city waits for the county to adopt its regulations, not everyone on the City Council agree with Pantelides position.
Alderman Ross Arnett, D-Ward 8, said he supports the Schuh's zoning ban on medical marijuana businesses, sharing the same concerns about the proliferation of pot in the city and county.
"We don't need a whole lot of suppliers of medical marijuana," Arnett said. "I just worry about unintended consequences."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Major City Open To Medical Marijuana Business
Author: Chase Cook
Photo Credit: Minesh Bacrania
Website: Capital Gazette
Mayor Mike Pantelides said he is opposed to an outright ban on the medicinal cannabis businesses as proposed by county Executive Steve Schuh.
"People should be able to get the medicine they need," Pantelides said.
City Council members, meanwhile, said they are waiting to see what the county does before moving ahead with its own legislation.
The County Council will begin work this week on two bills governing growing, processing and selling medical marijuana. Schuh acknowledged last week his legislation is unlikely to pass in its current form, but that he expects a vigorous debate over the issue.
Whatever the county does, Annapolis officials has its own power to approve dispensaries and other businesses permitted by state law. Some companies already have approached the city about opening dispensaries.
The city doesn't have any plans to ban the substance, but Pantelides didn't rule out regulating where dispensaries would be located. He raised concerns about putting them too close to schools or churches.
County officials said they were aware of the mayor's position. The county executive has made his position on medical marijuana known, but "we support the independence of the city," said Owen McEvoy, county spokesman.
John Pica, former state lawmaker who now represents a medical marijuana group, said dispensary businesses understand the concerns of putting the facility near public structures.
There is support for regulation, but there is no reason to ban something that people use to treat illnesses, Pica said.
Pica's client, CBD Wellness Group, is looking to open a dispensary in Glen Burnie. When opening a new location, it should be a stand-alone building with a garage that allows for 24-hour security, he said.
Downtown Annapolis wouldn't be ideal, as it is too close to residential areas, but Pica said something like West Street could work.
"There is concern that parents and school officials have ... it is a public perception issue we try to meet," Pica said.
Still, it is a long way from the Reefer Madness days.
Schuh's marijuana bill wasn't a complete surprise – he did oppose it as a state lawmaker. Earlier this year, the General Assembly left it up to local jurisdictions on how they wished to regulate the drug.
The county executive views the state law as having "too many loopholes" and "could open the door to widespread medical marijuana use," he wrote in an guest column for The Capital.
Schuh said he weighed the needs of the ill with his desire to prevent recreational use of the drug and drafted legislation he felt met that balance.
"No one wants to prevent the sick from being able to use the medicine they need, which is why this zoning proposal does nothing to prevent those with serious medical conditions from possessing, using or transporting medical marijuana in Anne Arundel County," Schuh wrote.
The legality of a local ban on medical marijuana came after the state law's author, Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-Baltimore County, sought an opinion from the Attorney General's Office. An assistant attorney general compared it to a county outlawing alcohol sales.
"Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh's position on medical cannabis is both disappointing and baffling," Zirkin wrote in an op-ed for The Capital last month. "And it cannot be permitted to stand."
The move toward a compromise became clear last week, when County Council Vice Chairman Pete Smith, D-Severn, told the Capital-Gazette editorial board that he would not vote for Schuh's bill. Three other council members have sponsored competing legislation that would allow marijuana businesses in the county, but Smith said it might be too open to win his support.
Schuh admitted last week he no longer expects the bill to pass in its "precise form." Amendments would push approval back to at least the Nov. 2 County Council meeting.
As the city waits for the county to adopt its regulations, not everyone on the City Council agree with Pantelides position.
Alderman Ross Arnett, D-Ward 8, said he supports the Schuh's zoning ban on medical marijuana businesses, sharing the same concerns about the proliferation of pot in the city and county.
"We don't need a whole lot of suppliers of medical marijuana," Arnett said. "I just worry about unintended consequences."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Major City Open To Medical Marijuana Business
Author: Chase Cook
Photo Credit: Minesh Bacrania
Website: Capital Gazette
