Even though Amendment 2 passed on Nov. 8 and Florida is now among 28 states allowing the use of medical marijuana, Indian River County isn’t exactly putting out the welcome mat for the controversial drug.
Last month, the County Commission proactively adopted a land development amendment ordinance tightly restricting where medical marijuana treatment centers would be permitted.
And forget about growing ganga anywhere in the County.
But even though Amendment 2 passed with 71.3 percent of the vote, county commissioners are clearly apprehensive about places where marijuana will be sold to relieve uncomfortable symptoms and chronic suffering.
The county’s ordinance defines a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center as “an entity that acquires, possesses, transfers, transports, sells, distributes or dispenses marijuana, products containing marijuana, related supplies or educational materials to qualifying patients or their personal caregivers and is registered by the Department of Health or its successor agency . . .”
It states that such a center cannot be located within the West Gifford Industrial and Commerce overlay area; or west of 66th Street; or within 1,000 feet of a primary or secondary school site, a child care facility site, a public park site or another Medical Marijuana Treatment Center site; or within 500 feet of a residential zoning district, a property with public or residential land use designation; or within 200 feet of a Thoroughfare Plan road right-of-way, which means a collector or arterial road.
Further restrictions include: a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center can’t be designed as a drive-through; no onsite use of marijuana or alcoholic beverages; and no onsite cultivation of marijuana.
The facility may only be operated between 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday and Sunday. Loitering is prohibited.
The smell of grass cannot leave the building.
The commission also voted to authorize Reingold to advertise a public hearing on an ordinance amending the county’s Pain Management Clinic and Controlled Substance ordinance to include prohibiting the cultivation of marijuana anywhere in the county.
