Medical marijuana: Princeton City Council gives first reading of zoning ordinance | News

PRINCETON – An ordinance giving way to medical marijuana dispensaries had a first reading in front of Princeton City Council on Monday.

The ordinance would amend Articles 1345, District Usages, and 1345.01, Zoning for Usage Controls, to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to do business within Princeton city limits.

Mayor David Graham said ahead of the meeting that the city intends to give these pharmacies the opportunity to set up in locations along Stafford Drive and Rogers Street.

Graham said he hadn’t heard from companies announcing plans to set up pharmacies in the city.

Attorney Paul Cassell told the city council that the use of medical marijuana was approved in West Virginia and that lawmakers passed regulations in 2020 for pharmacies selling these products. The regulations set out where medical marijuana dispensaries are and how they can operate.

Cassell had a first reading of the ordinance by title, and the city council unanimously approved it.

The amended ordinance would follow state guidelines when there are medical marijuana sites. According to a draft regulation, pharmacies may not be more than 300 m away from a public school, a private school, a daycare center, a parish school or a similar institution.

A public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held during the Princeton City Council meeting on June 14, Cassell said. A second reading for the regulation could take place at this point.

Local law enforcement agencies have warned the public that using marijuana products while driving may result in a DUI charge.

Sgt. AM Ballard of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and the West Virginia Coalfields Highway Safety Program announced Bluefield Daily Telegraph Earlier this year, people who use legal marijuana products may face DUI arrests if the substance interferes with their ability to drive. The fact that the substance was legally sourced would not mitigate the charges. This norm also applies to drugs such as antidepressants. Using antidepressants with alcohol or marijuana with pain relievers increases the likelihood of a DUI fee.

– Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com