- April 18, 2024
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The Flagler Beach City Commission has passed on first reading an ordinance restricting medical marijuana dispensaries to certain zoning areas and adding regulations to prevent them from becoming hangouts.
“I do think it’s important to have something in there now,” Commissioner Jane Mealy said at the May 8 City Commission meeting. “Like we learned on the vacation rental issue, let’s get something on the books.”
The City Commission’s vote came in response to two statewide medical marijuana-related initiatives. One recently passed by the state House and Senate and awaiting Gov. Rick Scott’s signature allows doctors to prescribe a specific, low-THC form of marijuana called “Charlotte’s Web” for epilepsy and cancer patients. Floridians will vote in November on a ballot initiative that would allow doctors more latitude in who to prescribe marijuana for and what kind can be prescribed.
The ordinance would allow medical marijuana dispensaries in the highway commercial zoning district, but only with a special exception. It also prohibits the dispensaries from serving alcohol.
“Where things like this come from is addressing some things seen in other states that adopted this, where the medical marijuana dispensary becomes a hangout,” City Attorney Drew Smith said. “We want to see, before we approve you, and have assurances that it’s not going to become some kind of hangout, other than just come, and get your prescription, and leave.”
