Coming Soon to Your Neighborhood: Marijuana
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — On the evening of Wednesday Oct. 16, the Coral Springs City Commission members met to discuss no trivial subject matter: medical marijuana.
While some states have legalized marijuana altogether, others are struggling to maneuver the inevitable changes brought about by the trend towards legalizing medical marijuana. Florida voters gave cannabis a thumbs up in a statewide vote more than three years ago, but individual counties are still grappling with the nitty-gritty of how to implement the new law.
Mayor Scott Brook, Vice Mayor Joy Carter, Commissioners Shawn Cerra, Larry Vignola, and Joshua Simmons all gathered to discuss the potential opening of a marijuana facility in Coral Springs. “This medical marijuana is new territory for all of us,” Vice Mayor Carter said, “the world changes all the time.”
Knox Servicing LLC had requested a public hearing to determine the approval of their petition. Julie Krolak came forth as Knox Servicing LLC’s spokesperson to present the Commission with their request for their building to be conditionally used as a medical marijuana dispensary. The approval of this petition would result in the city’s first medical marijuana facility.
Krolak gave the Commission and public some context to the business’ petition. Florida passed Amendment 2 in November 2016, permitting the cultivation and dispensing of medical marijuana. Although there was a temporary prohibition in January of 2018, the Coral Springs City Commission adopted an ordinance in April of 2019 to allow these types of facilities.
Complaints from the public arose following Krolak’s statement, but that did not prevent Knox Servicing LLC from being thorough. Knox Servicing LLC expressed just as much concern as the citizens regarding the facility’s safeguards.
Krolak went over some of the safety regulations that would be enforced if the approval of the petition went through. Consumption of medical marijuana would not be permitted within or outside of the facility’s premises, nor in parking lots near the facility. The drugs within the facility will remain in vaults and safes. Also, a security alarm system with a direct line to the police station will be installed. Motion detectors, video surveillance, and the panic alarm will all be included within the facility’s security. Krolak also ensured that the dispensary will abide by an alcohol and drug-free policy for all of their employees. Knox Servicing LLC even went as far as to provide a blueprint of the pending facility.
Following Krolak’s statement the Commission had no follow up questions, Knox Servicing LLC’s proposal satisfied all of the criteria.
Peter and Barbara Wallach, a married couple who have lived in Coral Springs for 43 years, went to the stand to be heard on the subject. The couple own property that is not too far from where the dispensary may be developed. Their concern was that if the dispensary was established, they would suffer from restrictions if they wanted to lease or sell their property. Peter Wallach asked the Commission to consider the fact that the approval of Knox Servicing LLC’s proposal could have a negative impact on their property value.
Commissioner Simmons made the point that the only zoning restrictions upon medical marijuana facilities are that they remain at least 500 feet away from school zones, pharmacies, places of worship, or daycares. Essentially, the Wallach’s property would not be impacted, so long as they were not leasing or selling their property to any of those industries. As the Commission moved to vote, Commissioner Simmons urged his fellow commissioners to vote with the best interest of the entire city.
Three of the five City Commission members voted in favor of the petitions approval. With that, Knox Servicing LLC is permitted to move forward with their plans for a medical marijuana dispensary.
