A dispensary on the water? Biloxi will decide where medical cannabis can be grown and sold.
The City of Biloxi is one step closer to establishing guidelines for the future cultivation, testing, distribution and sales of medical marijuana.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council will have its first reading of new laws written to govern the business side of the Medical Cannabis Act. The laws are proposed amendments to the city’s land development ordinance initiated after the Biloxi Planning Commission conducted a public hearing earlier this month.
The ordinance would allow cultivation on a residential property zoned for agriculture.
Because cultivation must be indoors, the proposed ordinance would also allow cultivation, processing research, dispensaries and transportation in the following business districts:
Agricultural
Community business
Regional business
Industrial zoning
Downtown (under conditional use)
Waterfront (under conditional use)
The proposed amendments would allow state-licensed dispensaries to operate at least 1,000 feet from any school, church or child care facility. The business can cut that distance in half with approval of the school, church or child care center and an approved variance application through the state licensing agency.
The proposed ordinance would also limit the proximity of cannabis dispensaries. The businesses would have to be at least 1,500 feet apart. Businesses are not allowed to operate a drive through, offer curbside pickup or any form of delivery outside the business.
Like the state law, Biloxi’s ordinance does not allow any dispensaries to share space with or refer patients to practitioners.
Advertising would require state approval and city permits.
The Biloxi City Council meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. and the third and fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, 140 Lameuse Street. For more information, call 228-435-6257.
