Newly passed medical marijuana bill allows Florida cities to ban dispensaries

There are several controversial rules in legislation passed by Florida lawmakers in response to the medical marijuana amendment.

One would allow Florida cities and counties to ban dispensaries completely.

It’s in the 78-page bill passed by Florida lawmakers Friday. The bill is sitting on Gov. Rick Scott’s desk. Scott has indicated that he will sign it.

A few cities in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville Beach and Orange Park, have already taken that step and enacted temporary bans for dispensaries.

Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said the idea of local bans was never stated in the original amendment voters approved.

He thinks it could be contested in court.

“That cedes control of the constitution to these individual communities,” Carson said. “You can’t do that.”

Cox Media Group