Pubdate: Wed, 30 Aug 2017
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2017 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Pamela Wood

BALTIMORE CITY COUNCIL WEIGHS CONCERNS ABOUT CANNABIS
DISPENSARIES

Hampden and Wyman Park residents took their concerns about a proposed
medical cannabis dispensary to City Hall on Wednesday, as Baltimore
City Council members weigh whether to put zoning restrictions on the
businesses.

In Baltimore -- as well as other jurisdictions -- some residents have
been surprised to learn about proposals for the dispensaries. Just one
dispensary in the state has earned a final state license, but dozens
more across the state have preliminary licenses they hope to finalize
in the coming months.

Some jurisdictions, including Baltimore County, have passed zoning
laws restricting where cannabis dispensaries can be located and how
far they can be from schools.

Geoff Veale, the city zoning administrator, told members of the
council's Land Use and Transportation Committee that Baltimore
officials classify cannabis dispensaries as a "retail goods
establishment" and they are allowed in any commercial zone.

Residents have raised concerns about a dispensary proposed for Keswick
Road, and the neighborhood associations and dispensary owner are
working on a legal agreement about the business' operations.

As Baltimore prepares for the opening of 11 medical marijuana
dispensaries in the city, some residents say it's been difficult to
get information about where they're opening or how the sites were selected.

The Baltimore City Council plans to hold a hearing at 1 p.m. Wednesday
to get details about...

As Baltimore prepares for the opening of 11 medical marijuana
dispensaries in the city, some residents say it's been difficult to
get information about where they're opening or how the sites were selected.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, who is helping broker the agreement,
said she's not sure whether the council needs to pass separate zoning
restrictions for dispensaries. It's something that council members
will have to weigh, she said in an interview.

During a two-hour hearing on dispensaries, Clarke said a key issue is
that these cannabis dispensaries are taking residents by surprise.

"People want to have a chance to know before it's a done deal," Clarke
said.

Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young suggested it might be a good
idea to require dispensary owners to meet with the community before
receiving occupancy permits from the city.

Neighbors of the Keswick Road dispensary raised issues about safety
and odors from the business.

Chris Carper, who lives around the corner, said he supports making
medical marijuana available to patients, but that Keswick Road is the
wrong location for it. He ticked off a list of nearby playgrounds,
schools and churches and noted that the famous holiday lights on 34th
Street are nearby, too.

"Cash and drugs attract the wrong people and I don't want them in my
neighborhood," he said.

Jack Boyson, president of the Wyman Park Community Association, said
the council should review how far cannabis dispensaries should be
allowed from schools, parks, churches and other dispensaries.

Patrick Jameson, executive director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis
Commission, said dispensaries are "tightly regulated" and required to
have numerous security measures including 24-hour video surveillance
and locked storage for the cannabis, which patients cannot access 
themselves.

Darrell Carrington from Greenwill Consulting, which advises cannabis
companies, said they've already "had to jump through enormous hoops"
and cautioned council members against adding more.

"This industry is more heavily regulated than any industry in
Maryland," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt