North Port ‘ready’ to welcome medical dispensaries

NORTH PORT, Fla. – Officials are moving forward with a measure that would regulate medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits.

The ordinance would cap the number of facilities at two and require that they be at least 1,500 feet from schools, churches and day cares. It was proposed before this week’s passage of Florida Amendment 2, which expands the legal use of medical marijuana statewide.

“We were ready, so we decided to get ahead of it before a dispensary came to us,” North Port City Planner Michele Norton said.

The ordinance will be presented for final approval on Nov. 22.