During the 2017 Special Session, the Florida Legislature passed SB 8-A relating to the medical use of marijuana. The Bill defines two types of medical marijuana facilities: (1) Cultivating and processing facilities, and (2) Dispensing facilities. The State has preempted local governments from regulating the location of cultivating and processing facilities.
With regard to dispensing facilities pursuant to SB 8-A, the Board may ban them from being located within the BMSD altogether or may regulate their location in a manner that is not more restrictive than the criteria currently applied to a pharmacy.
Chapter 39 of the Broward County Code permits pharmacy use in Commercial Business Zoning Districts. Properties in the unincorporated area with this zoning designation are located in Central County (Exhibit 1), Broadview Park (Exhibit 2), and Hillsboro Pines (Exhibit 3). SB 8-A further provides that medical marijuana facilities cannot be located within 500 feet of public or private schools. Exhibits 1, 2 and 3 identify multiple parcels that meet the criteria for medical marijuana dispensing facilities within the BMSD (locations where pharmacy use is currently permitted that are more than 500 feet from a school).
At recent meetings, the Central County Community Advisory Board has expressed opposition to permitting medical marijuana facilities on existing commercial corridors, including NW 27 Ave., NW 31 Ave, Broward Blvd., and Sunrise Blvd., where commercial land abuts single-family homes.
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