CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — The town of Orange Park has passed a moratorium on medical marijuana businesses in anticipation of Amendment 2 passing.
The ordinance says while the ban is in effect, the town will not approve any applications relating to the operation of medical marijuana treatment centers.
The one-year ban gives the town more time to determine where the shops will and won’t be able to go.
One of the concerns is that medical marijuana businesses could move in near schools and churches.
“There needs to be some time available for the individual communities to decide,” said Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson. “Who, when, where, how, and we now know why, and that’s because of the amendment if it passes.”
Carson said small towns, especially, have a lot of leeway when creating zoning laws. He said because of that, the state likely won’t interfere.
“The state is certainly empowered to, but it’s unlikely that they will,” said Carson.
Orange Park’s ban could last less than a year if zoning rules are established before then. This, of course, depends on whether the amendment passes.
Floridians will vote on Amendment 2 on Election Day, Nov. 8.