“It is irresponsible for county officials to spread these lies at some point.”
By Bryan P. Sears of Maryland Matters
The powerful chair of an Annapolis House committee has been outraged by the efforts of some counties to use the zoning laws to prevent or limit the opening of cannabis dispensaries.
The House and Senate are both considering legislation to make it harder for local governments restrict the location of cannabis dispensaries. House Economic Matters Committee Chairman Del. C.T. Wilson (D, Charles) said that counties are trying their best to combat the newly legalized market for cannabis and the state’s efforts to limit or end illegal sales.
In the months following the first legal recreational sale in July, certain counties turned to zoning as a way to slow down the opening of new marijuana dispensaries. These efforts are now at the center of legislation aimed at blocking these attempts. They sometimes aim to prevent any sale of the drug, or are born from concerns about the concentration of alcohol and tobacco stores in Black and Brown communities.
Wilson said that the decision to legalize recreational cannabis was well thought out. “This was not done at random. This is not about controlling the state. It’s about protecting the people, us, and a legitimate business. “I want us to understand that our purpose is not to cram them in, or to cluster them.”
Wilson’s HB 805 prohibits the counties from imposing more restrictive zoning restrictions than those that are imposed by retail liquor stores. The current law prohibits the establishment of dispensaries within 500 ft of a public park, playground, recreation center or library. Wilson’s bill limits that restriction to existing facilities.
Wilson said that he would ask for a change to the law to increase distances between dispensaries to 1,500 feet from 1,000 feet.
The county can reduce the distance required for dispensaries, but cannot increase it.
Some legislators are concerned that the bill could usurp county-level zoning authorities.
Brian J. Feldman, D-Montgomery, chair of the Education, Energy and Environment Committee and the sponsor of the SB537, stated that the state is equally interested in ensuring that cannabis dispensaries are allowed to open, as it is in ensuring counties can allow clean energy production.
“We need energy,” stated Sen. Alonzo Washington (D, Prince George’s), member of the Senate Finance Committee. “We don’t need cannabis.”
Some rural legislators, mainly Republican, who represent counties dominated by rural areas, are also opposed to the proposed changes.
Del. Steven J. Arentz, R-Upper Shore, said that counties like those he represents were being punished for the actions of other counties.
Arentz said, “You are taking the problems of other people and making them your own.”
Maryland Association of Counties supports the bill and proposes certain amendments.
The first would increase the distance between dispensaries from 100 feet to 2,000. The association wants dispensaries to be kept at least 100 feet away from residential areas.
Kevin Kinnally is the legislative director of the association. He said: “I think it’s reasonable that my child wouldn’t be within 100 feet of a cannabis dispensary if they’re out in the yard playing.”
A 2023 law will result in a dramatic expansion of the cannabis industry.
There are currently 101 licensed dispensaries across the state. Licenses are distributed fairly evenly across the 47 legislative districts of the state. In a round of social equity, another 75 licenses will be awarded.
After all is said and done, the state will have a maximum 300 dispensaries.
About 6,500 liquor shops are located in the state.
According to the Prince George’s County Health Department, Prince George’s County is home to 18.1 alcohol stores per 100,000 residents.
The same county, with a population of approximately 1 million people, is eligible for up to 20 cannabis dispensary licences.
In the next round, 19 of the 24 major political subdivisions of the state will receive one to three social equity dispensary licences. According to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties will receive nine licenses and Baltimore City will get 11.
Wilson said: “I’m sorry but I don’t believe counties can do it. I’ve seen what they’ve been doing.” “They complain about how the smoke shops are opened and then they grant them the [use and occupancy permits] as well as the health occupancy and the health licenses for opening.”
The Prince George’s County Council examined legislation last year that would have prohibited cannabis dispensaries from being located in commercial zones. The bill would have forced dispensaries to industrial zones, including business parks. This bill has not been acted upon.
In a letter sent this month, the council asked the county’s delegation to the legislature to oppose Wilson’s bill.
Wilson attacked unnamed local officials, who complained that their counties would be inundated with dispensaries the way liquor stores proliferated. Wilson also blasted state laws that allow smoke shops and vape shops to sell cannabis. He called it “a tornado misinformation.”
Wilson stated that it became irresponsible for county officials to spread these lies at some point.
This article was originally published by Maryland Matters.
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The article Maryland’s Top Lawmaker Calls Counties Out for Blocking Marijuana Dispensaries first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
