News (Media Awareness Project) - US RI: Council Sets Zoning For Marijuna Dispensaries |
| Title: | US RI: Council Sets Zoning For Marijuna Dispensaries |
| Published On: | 2010-08-12 |
| Source: | Providence Journal, The (RI) |
| Fetched On: | 2010-08-13 03:00:18 |
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."
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."
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