Bethlehem is getting ready for medical marijuana like other Lehigh Valley towns.
Thursday afternoon the Bethlehem Planning Commission recommended city council approve a zoning amendment that lays out where in the city medical marijuana growers/processors, dispensaries and academic clinical research centers can set up shop. This is the first step in a lengthy process.
The proposal could result in patients filling prescriptions at a Stefko Boulevard dispensary while in a South Mountain research facility Lehigh scientists study the benefits of medical marijuana for St. Luke’s and nearby pot is growing in a secure warehouse in an industrial area.
That’s not to say that Bethlehem’s proposes allowing medical marijuana facilities to set up shop wherever they want. None are going to be able to open in the city’s urban core.
"Most of the city you can’t do it," city Planning Director Darlene Heller said.
Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016 and the program is expected to be fully implemented in 2018. Every municipality in the state now must update its zoning, because state law requires allowing for every possible use within a zoning ordinance.
The Lehigh Valley’s two counties are among 10 that comprise a region where four dispensary permits and two grower/processor permits are set to be awarded.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health says it will accept permit applications until March 20 for medical marijuana growers/processors and dispensaries.
Bethlehem has fielded inquiries from some interested in setting up shop in the city, Heller said.
But the options of where those medical marijuana facilities can locate in the city are quite limited since state law prohibits dispensaries and grower/processors from being located within 1,000 feet of a school or daycare.
If a school opens after a medical marijuana facility is already operating the restriction does not apply.
Dispensaries will be highly regulated and prescriptions will be required, much like pharmacies. They will be limited to commercial spaces while marijuana growers/processors would be restricted to mostly industrial areas, Heller explained.
Dispensaries and growing facilities cannot be located in the same place.
Patients will be able to take marijuana in pill, oil, vapor, ointment or liquid form but won’t be able to legally obtain marijuana to smoke or grow. Dispensaries in Bethlehem can’t have drive through services, home delivery, outdoor seating areas or vending machines or on-site consumption, according to the proposal.
Where would they be allowed in Bethlehem
Academic clinical research center: May be located in areas zoned for light or planned industrial, industrial, institutional, research areas on South Mountain and commercial mixed use areas, such as the Martin Tower property and at Eighth and Eaton avenues.
An academic clinical research center must be an accredited hospital, like Lehigh Valley Hospital or St. Luke’s University Health Network, conducing medical marijuana research or a university or college conducting research on behalf ot eh hospital.
Medical marijuana grower/processor: Permitted in areas zoned for light or planned industrial, industrial and areas zoned for research on South Mountain.
Medical marijuana dispensary: Permitted in areas zoned for general commercial district, commercial shopping centers and industrial redevelopment districts, such as Schoenersville or Airport roads, northern areas of Stefko Boulevard and Easton Avenue or along Route 412.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Where Bethlehem Wants To Allow Medical Marijuana Facilities
Author: Sara K. Satullo
Contact: Lehigh Valley Live
Photo Credit: AP
Website: Lehigh Valley Live
