Lower Burrell looks to establish rules for medical marijuana businesses

Lower Burrell is considering new rules to designate where medical marijuana dispensaries, and growers and processors, could set up shop in the city.

Council approved preliminary readings of the proposal this month. A final vote is expected Dec. 11.

Councilman Chris Fabry said the proposal was brought before council about five years ago, and council members agreed to put regulations in place.

At that time, council completed preliminary approvals, but it never received final approval.

“When (medical marijuana) became legal, all communities were advised to develop regulations on locations and operation,” Fabry said.

Fabry said the regulations didn’t receive final approval because “a period of turnover” took place.

Fabry said the city is unaware of anyone bringing a dispensary to Lower Burrell and called the proposal a housekeeping matter.

The proposal defines medical
marijuana dispensaries as a place that holds a state-issued permit that dispenses medical marijuana. It defines a medical marijuana grower/processor as a place that holds a state health permit to grow or process medical marijuana, with all growing and processing done inside a building.

Medical marijuana dispensaries and growers and processors would be located in districts zoned light manufacturing and manufacturing as special exception uses, according to the proposal.

Medical marijuana dispensaries can’t be within 500 feet of the property line of a school, day care center, church, place of worship, playground or park.