Recent Articles & Rulings

Category: Legislation

San Diego Policy Changes Impact Marijuana Dispensaries

Posted on March 16, 2016

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2016/mar/14/san-diego-eases-medical-marijuana-dispensary-rules/

An update to the city of San Diego’s land development code will make it just a little bit easier to find a location for a medical marijuana dispensary. For the past few years, the city’s policy was to disqualify proposed dispensaries if they were within 1,000 feet of sensitive uses (parks, schools, churches, childcare centers or another dispensary) and the 1,000 feet was measured in a straight line, regardless of any topographical or constructed barriers.   In laymen’s terms, this meant that a dispensary location was disqualified  – EVEN IF there was a freeway or a river separating the dispensary and the sensitive use which would obviously diminish the concern over the proximity of the sensitive use.  With the changes made, the city will now measure distance along city streets or sidewalks.  This means that a dispensary can open within 1,000 feet of a sensitive use if there is a freeway, wall or some other topographical feature in between the the dispensary and sensitive use.  This common sense approach should be applauded and praised.