More cities and counties continue to begin drafting legislation to regulate medical cannabis dispensaries, even before Amendment 2 has been approved. It is not clear if these new regulations would also apply to low-THC cannabis dispensaries created under SB 1030. The City of Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County is one of the latest cities to consider regulating dispensaries in anticipation of Amendment 2 being approved by voters in November. At the July 1st Commission meeting, according to the Palm Beach Post, the Vice Mayor of Boynton Beach, Joe Casselo, said of Amendment 2 and medical cannabis, “It’s looking like it’s going to be a reality here in Florida.” “I think it’s time to take maybe a proactive approach towards passing or looking at ordinances for the green industry that’s coming. I believe we should be ahead of the curve on this issue.”

City Officials Rush To Regulate Medical Cannabis Preemptively

Recently Casello, told the Sun Sentinel, “Let’s take a proactive approach and look at ordinances so we can prepare for the green industry that’s coming.” Cassello also told CBS 12 News, “I’m a little concerned that it doesn’t turn out to be a Walgreens or CVS on every corner.” “I believe that we should be ahead of the issue.” Mayor Jerry Taylor agreed saying, “We need to ask planning and zoning to bring back some more information.” “What type of business license would be required if someone opened that type of business in the city?” The Palm Beach Post quoted Mayor Taylor as saying, “We need to be above the curve on that. It sounds at this point that [Amendment 2] will pass,” Taylor said. “We need to have planned on how we’re going to approach that.” Boynton Beach City Manager Lori LaVerriere said she would take the information to the commission. Boynton Beach Commissioner David Merker support Amendment 2, telling the Palm Beach Post, “It has to be controlled carefully like everything else but it’s important and if it can help a human being live longer I’m totally in favor of it.”

Attorney Who Hopes to Open Dispensary Agrees With Regulations

Darren Odesnik, a local attorney who is interested in opening a medical cannabis dispensary, told CBS 12 News he thinks the regulations are a smart move, saying, “500 or 1,000 ft. from a school, certain zoning districts and areas, things of that nature.” “I think they should implement something in anticipation of this [Amendment 2], otherwise it’s going to be a lot of scrambling around, and people trying to implement things in deadlines.” According to WPTV, Odesnik’s businesses the Cannabis Center of South Florida and Starbudz LLC, will potentially be dispensaries.

Regulations To Be Considered By Commission At October 7th Meeting

The past several meetings of the Boynton Beach Commission have listed “Discuss impact of pending legislation legalizing restricted use of medical marijuana,” as a future agenda item. According to the agenda for the upcoming September 2nd Commission meeting, the discussion on medical cannabis regulation will take place at the Commission meeting on Tuesday October 7th, 2014.