CENTREVILLE — The Queen Anne’s County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an emergency bill March 12 to regulate cannabis in the county ahead of state requirements.
The ordinance outlined permitted consumption, growing, processing and dispensing of cannabis in the county and the location of cannabis dispensaries and processors.
The state is considering preempting requirements of 500-foot setbacks while Queen Anne’s ordinance states similar to current liquor laws. Cannabis processors and distributors cannot be located 1,000 feet from areas such as schools, day cares, churches, libraries and public parks, according to Commissioner Jack Wilson.
Original regulations were no more stringent than liquor store requirements, he said.
The county’s ordinance requires 100-foot setbacks to resident lot lines.
The state will be utilizing Queen Anne’s approved ordinance as a framework for how statewide legislation should be handled, Wilson said.
Commissioner James Moran called the ordinance “more than reasonable” and noted the county commissioners “wanted the same regulations we have with medical marijuana.”
The ordinance will prohibit on-site cannabis consumption at establishments.
Licensed cannabis growers are permitted as a conditional use in the agricultural district. Licensed cannabis processors will be permitted as a conditional use in certain districts including the suburban commercial district, the urban commercial district, the suburban industrial district, and the light industrial highway service district.
Processors are permitted in the suburban industrial employment district.
Providing setbacks, the ordinance will permit cannabis licensed dispensaries in the Grasonville Gateway and Medical Center District.
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