This proposed Land Development Code amendment adds location criteria, performance standards and creates specific definitions for Medical Cannabis dispensaries to Chapter 58 of the Land Development Code.  The new regulations are proposed for Medical Cannabis dispensaries within the City to allow reasonable access to these products to treat patients with debilitating conditions, while protecting sensitive land uses (e.g. schools, child care, residential uses, parks, places of worship) from the potential negative secondary effects of such a use.  It also includes a mile separation between such uses so that they do not concentrate in any particular section/neighborhood of the City.

The proposal also limits the total number of dispensaries to seven; this is also the same amount of authorized dispensing organizations within the State of Florida (i.e. one per organization).  This "cap" also ensures that the City is not overburdened with accommodating all of the dispensaries within Central Florida, while allowing adequate access to such products for our residents.

The proposal includes a grandfathering provision for dispensary locations previously approved as "Charlotte's Web" dispensaries to allow the full range of cannabis products currently allowed under state law (including Amendment 2), so long as such locations have applied for and are actively securing a building permit as of the effective date of this ordinance.

Additionally, hospitals over 100 beds dispensing such products are proposed to be exempted from the location criteria.

This item was recommended for approval at the April 18, 2017 Municipal Planning Board; the item was also approved by the City Council on first reading at its May 15, 2017 meeting.