JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — While Amendment 2 did not pass this year, St. Augustine commissioners are getting ahead of the curve just in case a similar amendment does become law.
“[We’re] taking a position where we get to have some control -- some say in what goes forward,” said Todd Neville, city commissioner seat 4.
This week city commissioners passed a new law that aims to give potential growers and distributors an extra hurdle to pass before setting up shop.
“If someone does come in to town and they say, OK, medical marijuana is now legal, they wanna do the distribution of it from this facility, they have to come before planning, and zoning and ask for an exception to current zoning rules,” said Neville.
There are only certain areas where an exception can be made to allow the growing and distributing of legally available marijuana.
But while many agree with the new regulations, some visitors like Keith Toohey are apprehensive.
“Where it might get out of hand is if people take advantage of that and maybe peddle it to non-prescription users,” Toohey said.
Neville says there are still more discussions to be had at the city level about the law, but for now it gives them a safety net they didn’t have before.
City leaders say so far no one has come forward wanting to grow and distribute the substance. They said they didn’t need to wait for that to happen. Now with the new law they told Action News they can control their own destiny.
The state has indicated that they will begin making rules for low THC cannabis, known as Charlotte’sWeb, next month.
WJAX
