As introduced, SB 215 dealt with details of the operations and permitting of cannabis on-site consumption facilities and cannabis events. This provided substantial local authority over the operation of these facilities and events. However, significant amendments in the Senate committee removed or altered most of the provisions of the bill as introduced.

One of the new elements revisited a hotly-debated issue from prior legislative discussions: the distance between dispensaries as well as dispensaries and sensitive properties such as schools, playgrounds, recreation centers, libraries, parks, and places of worship. Current law sets these minimum distances at 1,000 feet between dispensaries and at least 500 feet between dispensaries and the above listed sensitive properties. However, through an ordinance, local governments are permitted to increase the distance between dispensaries to one-half mile or reduce the distances between a dispensary and those sensitive properties.  

The bill as initially amended prohibited local governments from adopting an ordinance altering the distance requirements, unless they had already done so before January 1, 2025. MML worked with the Senate committee to tweak the amendment and move the deadline to adopt an ordinance regarding distance requirements to July 1, 2025. This gives local governments a few more months to do so if they so choose. If no action is taken by the local government, then the distance requirements in State law will prevail. 

For more information, please contact Bill Jorch, [email protected]