Pubdate: Wed, 09 Sep 2015
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2015 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Pamela Wood

BALTO. CO. COUNCIL APPROVES MARIJUANA ZONING RULES

The Baltimore County Council has set the zoning rules that will 
govern where medical marijuana businesses can open in the county.

The unanimous passage of Councilwoman Vicki Almond's bill makes 
Baltimore County the first jurisdiction to tackle zoning issues 
surrounding medical marijuana, in advance of the state's issuing 
licenses to growers, processors and dispensaries. Medical marijuana 
growing and processing facilities will be allowed in industrial 
districts, although in the Chesapeake Enterprise Zone - a commercial 
and industrial district in the eastern part of the county - a grower 
must obtain approval of a special exception, which can be granted by 
an administrative judge after a public hearing.

The growing and processing facilities would also be allowed in 
certain rural zones. In the agricultural zone, the facilities would 
be allowed without extra approval.

In the resource preservation and environmental enhancement zones, the 
facilities would be allowed with a special exception. Medical 
marijuana dispensaries will be allowed in business districts, 
provided they are 500 feet from schools and 2,500 feet from one another.

However, to locate in one of the county's commercial revitalization 
districts, the business must get a special exception. The county's 17 
commercial revitalization districts are located in older commercial 
districts where the county is trying to spur improvements and new businesses.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom