Pubdate: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Copyright: 2014 Sun-Sentinel Company Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159 Author: Ariel Barkhurst, Staff writer Page: Front Page CITIES BACK INTERIM HALT ON MARIJUANA BUSINESSES The rush to delay medical marijuana dispensaries from opening in some cities is on, even before Florida voters decide the marijuana measure on Nov. 4. Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, North Palm Beach, Lake Clarke Shores and the village of Golf all have given initial approval to halting marijuana treatment centers and dispensaries from opening in their areas for at least a year. Other cities in Palm Beach County are ready to welcome the marijuana businesses into their towns - but only on their terms. Juno Beach will consider allowing them to open only in the town's medical-commercial district. Palm Springs is contemplating a measure that would ensure the pot dispensaries don't open too close to homes, schools and churches. The village is modeling its actions after other government entities in states where medical marijuana is legal. "What we have learned from other states is they kind of missed the ball," said Kim Glas-Castro, Palm Springs' land-development director. "The cities that enact regulations early have the best ability to specify where dispensaries can be located." If voters approve the amendment legalizing medical marijuana next month, the use of marijuana would expand across Florida. Because it is unclear how fast the state would let the industry grow, officials countywide have expressed concerns about how many dispensaries will be headed their way and where the businesses would open their doors. So cities are taking action and planning ahead. Amendment 2 supporters say cities that enact moratoriums could be missing out on helping sick residents. "By issuing moratoriums they are driving patients to other surrounding cities or forcing them to continue to get medication from the black market, which defeats the whole purpose of Amendment 2," said Karen Goldstein, director of the Florida chapter of Norml, a group that advocates for the rights of medical marijuana users. "What these cities are doing shows a complete lack of compassion for their residents." But Boynton Beach Mayor Jerry Taylor said the moratorium has nothing to do with whether the city is for or against medical marijuana. He said it's a tool the city is using to help plan for the results of the statewide vote. This month, Palm Springs initially approved a zoning change allowing medical-marijuana treatment centers and dispensaries to open if they are located certain distances from schools, neighborhoods and other dispensaries. "We would rather have something on the books to work with," Glas-Castro said. Other cities also plan to take a stance on the controversial subject: Delray Beach, Haverhill and Hypoluxo officials say their councils are scheduled to discuss such temporary bans at upcoming meetings. Meanwhile, other municipalities say they are waiting for the results of the medical-marijuana referendum before deciding what, if any, action they'll take. The village of Wellington plans to leave it up to the state to take any regulatory steps, if the amendment passes, said Wellington Manager Paul Schofield. "We are not sure of exactly what we would be regulating," Schofield said in an email. If Amendment 2 passes, Palm Beach Gardens similarly would consider a six-month moratorium on medical-marijuana dispensaries, said city spokeswoman Candice Temple, the city's media manager. Richard Radcliffe, executive director of Palm Beach County League of Cities, said cities have different schools of thought on medical marijuana and how to prepare for it. The Florida League of Cities plans to offer "a menu of options" for cities to consider - based on whether cities want to implement moratoriums or welcome the industry to their cities, he said. "There are different ways of addressing it," he said. "But without having a crystal ball, all of these are educated guesses." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt