Estero – Voters gave the thumbs up to the use of medical marijuana, which means more dispensaries will begin to pop up across the state.
But plans for medical marijuana in our area – might go up in smoke as three local city councils get set to tackle the issue Wednesday morning.
In Bonita Springs, there will be a public hearing and then a vote to ban dispensaries within the city along with smoking medical marijuana in public.
In Punta Gorda, city council members will talk about dispensaries and their role within the community.
The Village of Estero will be having a similar discussion. Council members there say they want to create rules that will protect public safety and property values.
It’s unclear what those rules could look like, but some think they need a year ban to figure that out and enact them.
It’s creating controversy among the overwhelming majority of Floridians who voted to approve medical marijuana.
Those who get it prescribed may have to drive elsewhere if this ban is approved.
The village’s attorney has been working on an ordinance that Estero says will “create standards and limit the number of dispensaries.”
The Florida Department of Health is already drafting regulations for the new law that takes effect in January.
Other cities like Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach have placed temporary freezes to study the law, but those end in January.
That means if Estero approves a one-year ban, it would be one of the longest ones we’ve seen in Florida.
The meeting begins at 9:30 am.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Local Leaders To Discuss Future Of Medical Marijuana Regulation
Author: Lucas Seiler
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