On Monday, the Ocean City Council approved the first reading of two ordinances addressing cannabis and cannabis dispensaries within municipal limits. The vote comes less than a month after the Ocean City Planning Commission agreed to forward the changes to the council with a favorable recommendation.
During the 2024 session, the Maryland General Assembly adopted House Bill 805, which clarified the authority of jurisdictions to impose certain distance requirements for cannabis-related businesses. Simply put, the legislation allows the Town of Ocean City to adopt code language to prohibit a licensed cannabis dispensary from being located within 100 feet of any residential zones; 500 feet of any pre-existing school, childcare facility, public park, playground, recreation center, library or place of worship; or 1,000 feet or up to half a mile of any other cannabis dispensary.
In June, a proposed code amendment stating as much was brought to the planning commission for review. And in July, following a public hearing, the commission voted to advance a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council, but with an amendment to allow operating hours between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., or the hours allowed under state law.