John Willoughby: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Ten months after a temporary moratorium was imposed, the issue came back to the Commissioners of the City of Madison for another look at the possibility of allowing medical marijuana dispensaries into Madison. In attendance were Mayor Rayne Cooks, City Attorney Clay Schnitker and commissioners Judy Townsend, Ina B. Thompson, Jim Stanley and Jim Catron. Also in attendance were City Manager Sarah Anderson and City Clerk Lee Anne Hall.
On Apr. 11, 2017, there was a final reading and a vote on Ordinance 2017-1, which would impose a temporary moratorium on the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in Madison. The purpose of the ordinance was to conduct a study to determine guidelines and regulations needed for a medical marijuana dispensary. The motion to approve the ordinance passed unanimously.
As stated in the ordinance, it had come to the Commission's attention that certain activities related to medical marijuana dispensing facilities have the potential for harming the City of Madison's economic development and redevelopment activities and otherwise significantly and adversely affecting the public health, safety, morals, and welfare. The moratorium was set to expire on Saturday, March 31.
On Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Board of City Commissioners for the City of Madison gathered to discuss the decision whether to ban or allow Medical marijuana dispensaries facilities. City Manager Sarah Anderson reminded the commissioners that if a ban is not enacted, the commission cannot place restrictions on where the medical marijuana dispensing facilities are located. “They're allowed to be anywhere a pharmacy can be located,” said Anderson.
“If we decide that we want to continue with the ban, then the [North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC)] is ready to move forward,” said Anderson. According to Sandra Joseph, Senior Planner for NCFRPC, if the City Commission decides to allow dispensing facilities in the City of Madison, staff will amend the text of the Land Development Regulations to add medical marijuana treatment center dispensing facilities as a permitted use in the zoning district in which the retail, commercial sale of drugs is currently permitted.
City Attorney Clay Schnitker reminded the commission that there needs to be a decision soon to allow the planning council to prepare the necessary ordinance; an ordinance that needs to have two readings before the moratorium expires on Saturday, March 31.
Commissioner Judy Townsend made a motion to enact an ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries being in the City of Madison. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Ina B. Thompson. The enactment passed 4-1, with Mayor Rayne Cooks opposing the enactment.
Chief Reggie Alexander, of the Madison Police Department, expressed his concern. “Either way, we're still going to have to deal with it, whether we give [Madison residents] a dispensatory or whether we don't. Once they get their ID card, they can just go to another city; they use that card, then they [bring] it back to Madison where we're going to have to deal with it.”
Schnitker then clarified any confusion that may have been lingering. “The ordinance would not prohibit the use of medical marijuana; state laws have already determined that as long as they meet the requirements for a prescription.”
Mayor Cooks, who opposed the enactment, defended her position before proceeding with the meeting. Cooks believes that any bit of revenue helps. “People are going to do it, and they're going to use it, we're just going to lose the revenue from it. Every little bit helps. Just as the article says, 'County of Madison is the poorest [county] in the State of Florida.' We've got to do something. I don't want it either but it's legal, just like alcohol is legal.”
On Tuesday, March 6, the City Commissioners will gather at the Madison City Hall for a special meeting, for the first reading of the ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries. On Tuesday, March 20, the final reading of the ordinance will take place, and the City Commissioners will enact the continuation of the ban of medical marijuana dispensaries. There will be time set aside for public comments after each reading. City Hall is located at 321 SW Rutledge St. in Madison.