Pubdate: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 Source: Providence Journal, The (RI) Copyright: 2010 The Providence Journal Company Contact: http://www.projo.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/352 Author: Mark Reynolds COUNCIL SETS ZONING FOR MARIJUNA DISPENSARIES JOHNSTON -- The town will allow the distribution of marijuana for medical purposes under a new ordinance approved Tuesday night by the Town Council. The ordinance establishes rules for permitting medical marijuana dispensaries, as well as facilities for cultivating the narcotic, only in Johnston's industrial zoning districts. No one has proposed any such facility, or "compassion center" ---- the term used in the ordinance, say town officials. In the spring of 2009, the General Assembly passed legislation that provided a legal basis for the establishment of such medical marijuana dispensaries. Rhode Island law calls for cities and towns to establish their own codes for the facilities, according to Johnston's assistant solicitor, Timothy Chapman. The ordinance passed by the Johnston council Tuesday night -- on a unanimous vote with Councilman Joseph A. Wells absent -- requires prospective compassion center operators to apply to the Zoning Board of Review for a special-use permit. The ordinance says no such permits shall be allowed if the proposed medical marijuana facility is within 1,000 feet of a residential zoning district or within 1,500 feet from a school, ball field, church or hospital. The ordinance sets the hours of operation for such facilities as 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any medical marijuana facility must be licensed by the state Department of Health. The state also licenses medical-marijuana users and caregivers who grow marijuana for patients. According to one published report in June, the state had counted 1,790 registered patients and 1,312 licensed caregivers. The president of the Johnston council, Robert V. Russo, said he is not aware of any proposal for a compassion center in Johnston. "I am proposing the ordinance to provide a uniform area to conduct this type of business," he said, adding that "not all residents" agree on the legalized use of medical marijuana and the town should take "a proactive approach to see that these compassion centers go in proper areas." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D