SNOW HILL – County officials discussed potential cannabis regulations, including a desire to keep dispensaries at least 2,000 feet from schools and childcare areas, this week.
The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday met with staff to discuss provisions related to cannabis use following statewide changes. While the language discussed will need to return to the commissioners for approval, they made it clear they want larger separation distances than currently in state law.
“I think we need to do everything we can to make this as strict as possible,” Commissioner Jim Bunting said. Jennifer Keener, the county’s director of development review and permitting, told the commissioners that the state had already implemented conversion licenses for medical cannabis license holders and would be accepting new applications this fall. To be prepared for the new licenses, Keener said she was asking the commissioners to consider the county’s zoning approach to cannabis, separation distances for new dispensaries and on-site consumption establishments. She said she recommended the county continue the same zoning approach that’s been in place since 2017 for medical cannabis. As far as separation distances, she said there was an option in state law to allow the county to reduce or eliminate separation distances for new dispensaries. The state requires those dispensaries to be at least 500 feet from a pre-existing school, licensed childcare center, registered family childcare home or a playground, recreation center, library or public park. The state requires dispensaries to be at least 1,000 feet from another dispensary.
Keener said counties couldn’t put an undue burden on dispensaries when implementing separation distances.
Nevertheless, Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said he felt the separation distance from schools should be increased to at least 1,000 feet.
It’s very important that we keep the pothead pedophiles and BLM and Antifa radicals as far away from our kids as possible. Mary Jane originated in Mexico and was popularized in Harlem jazz clubs, so the stuff should be nowhere near our children! No way!!
ITS my right to smoke Marijuana
Do not impede on my Constitutional rights to get high
The only reason for legalization is because of greed by our politicians, the majority of whom lack any morals.
the real people making money from pot is the tow truck drivers here in Salisbury