Union approves zoning ordinance creating path for medical marijuana

By Brandon Dunn

Monday evening the Union Board of Alderman approved an ordinance revising chapter 405 of the city municipal code to assign zoning regulations for medical marijuana facilities in city limits.

Section 1 of the proposal sets definitions for child day-care center, marijuana or marihuana, marijuana infused products, medical marijuana cultivation facility, medical marijuana dispensary facility, medical marijuana infused products manufacturing facility, medical marijuana testing facility, and qualifying patient. The definitions appear close in conjecture with those already defined by the state and several other cities.

Section 2 of the approved ordinance amends and defines land use. Dispensary facilities in Union will be allowed to operate in B-1 Central Business District and B-2 Highway Business districts.

Both Testing facilities and Infused products manufacturing facilities are approved for I-1 General Industrial districts.

Finally the amended section requires Cultivation facilities be located in NU Non Urban Districts.

Any business type will be required to secure a conditional use permit. The draft makes no changes to the state mandated 1000 ft buffer zone.

photo: City of Union/FB