Milford Township, Pa. – Milford Township Board of Supervisors made a motion to authorize an advertisement for a change in zoning ordinance that would allow the township to grant requests to grow and dispense medical marijuana.
The motion comes as counties across the state are bracing for a rush for permit applications from the states Health Department. Most counties do not have specific zoning ordinance pertaining to production and dispensing of medical marijuana. Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 16 into law last April which authorizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes only.
The amendment to the current zoning regulation will give the local government the ability to dictate where each facility could go.
The current law prohibits the grow or dispensary establishment to operate within 1,000 feet of residential areas and school facilities.
We can say where they can go, where they can or cant be near, Chairman Robert Mansfield said.
The motion to move forward in amending the current zoning ordinance was introduced during the Tuesday, March 7 regular board of supervisors meeting.
Mansfield said because the townships current zoning ordinance doesnt have a clause regulating medical marijuana establishment, borough officials want to be proactive in defining where those facilities can go and how they will be governed, while still complying with the law.
Our zoning doesnt permit it, so right now it could go anywhere Mansfield said.
Under the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program, the health department has divided the state into six medical marijuana regions and will initially issue permits for 27 dispensaries and twelve growers.
More permits will be issued as the program advances further into other stages.
Applications will be accepted starting between February 20 and March 20. It could cost up to $30,000 dollars to obtain a license.
Township solicitor Terry Clemons said growers and sellers of medical marijuana will be required to comply under strict state and local laws. He said the regulation allows three dispensaries licenses per grower.
He said they would have to submit a plan to the townships zoning officer how the marijuana will be handled, disposed, and details of its record keeping. Additionally, the township would have to know how each facility plans to secure its grounds. He added that theres no limit on how many facilities could receive the townships blessing.
Its really hard to do the math and thats really something thats going to be determined through this licensing process. We know its not going to be high density, Clemons said.
Under the current law, medical marijuana can only be used for medicinal purposes in pill or a liquid form.
Resident David Gross said hes not worried about a prospect that marijuana could be legally grown in his community. The father of a 17-year-old daughter said hes confident that those who grow and sell marijuana will be responsible in their profession.
I dont think its going to be too much of an issue. There will always be refinements but I think they will have a pretty good handle of it, he said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Milford Township Supervisors Start Process To Approve Medical Marijuana Ordinance
Author: Sergei Blair
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