Dade City is again pressing pause on allowing any medical marijuana treatment centers within city limits.
The Dade City Commission on March 28 voted to extend its moratorium relating to the operation of cannabis dispensing organizations and the issuance of business tax licenses for such facilities.
The moratorium, temporary in nature, is in effect for the next six months, with a retroactive date of March 23.
The action marks the fourth time commissioners have passed a six-month extension of the moratorium, which was initially enacted in 2016, to study the potential impacts of such facilities on the municipality.
The original moratorium followed the November 2016 amendment of Florida’s Constitution to allow “the dispensing and use of marijuana for medical purposes by persons with debilitating diseases.”
City leaders, meanwhile, are still considering ways to regulate cannabis dispensaries, as opposed to instituting a permanent or outright ban.
Commissioners in January directed city staff to draft an ordinance that would have allowed for medical marijuana in all zoning districts where the city allows pharmacies, except in the city’s Community Redevelopment Area, generally encompassing the downtown corridor, and within 500 feet from any public or private elementary, middle and high school.
However, the Dade City Planning Board recommended denial of the drafted ordinance, due in part to concerns about its limiting pharmacies or drugstores in the downtown area, in making them legal nonconforming use.
The planning board then made a recommendation to the local planning agency and commission to extend the moratorium on the sale of medical marijuana, with a time frame to be determined by the commission; a public hearing and first reading of the extension was passed unanimously by the commission back on March 12.
Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez said the commission will look to again address the medical marijuana dispensary issue and try to come up with a long-term solution sometime following Florida’s 2019 legislative session, which wraps up May 3.
Despite the moratorium, the mayor said she remains in favor of some type of ordinance that would permit medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits.
“I still feel very strongly,” Hernandez said. “I still think it serves a purpose and helps a lot of people.”
The mayor also pointed to Florida voters’ clear support of Amendment 2 in 2016, in which 71 percent of the electorate voted in favor of medical marijuana treatment centers.
Said Hernandez, “I do think that the voters did express their opinion, and if we can put it together so it doesn’t adversely affect Dade City, then we need to do that, absolutely.”
In other action, commissioners presented a plaque of appreciation to Billy Poe, who served as city manager in Dade City for nearly 11 years.
Poe officially left the post in February to accept a similar position with the City of Zephyrhills as its deputy city manager. He is expected to transition to the city’s top leadership position once longtime Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina retires sometime this summer.
During the award presentation, Poe thanked the commission “for the opportunity to work with wonderful citizens and staff,” and specifically mentioned commissioners Scott Black and Eunice Penix “for taking a chance on me a way long time ago.”
Poe also expressed gratitude to city staffers he worked alongside during his tenure as city manager.
“Obviously, I could not have done and been able to be in Dade City for as long as I was without a great staff, and I truly appreciate it,” he said.
Meantime, the city is still searching for Poe’s replacement after it was unable to come to a contract agreement with its top candidate for the city manager position earlier this year.
Commissioners will have a special meeting April 3 at 4 p.m., to review and rank its second pool of candidates for the position.
The deadline to apply for the city manager vacancy ended March 15. The city received nine applications.
Published April 03, 2019
