DELTONA, Fla. – Deltona leaders are considering a proposal to ban any new medical marijuana dispensaries from opening within city limits, a move that has some residents speaking out.
The city’s planning and zoning board recently approved a draft ordinance that would prohibit additional dispensaries, with a 6-1 vote recommending the city commission move forward with the plan. If passed, the ordinance would replace Deltona’s 2014 regulation that allowed dispensaries in commercial zones with special permission.
Under the proposed ordinance, the city’s existing medical marijuana dispensary would be allowed to remain open. A second business that applied before the potential ban would also be permitted to operate. However, no new applications would be approved moving forward.
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Board members noted that residents still have access through delivery services and dispensaries in surrounding cities.
“People with medical marijuana cards have other options,” one board member said during the May 21 meeting. “We have two dispensaries now. Sounds like there’s others in the county.”
Still, some Deltona residents say more local access is needed.
Ryan Leake, a Deltona resident recovering from a serious motorcycle crash, says medical marijuana has helped him manage pain and avoid prescription painkillers.
“I was on pain pills and things like that,” Leake said. “I use medical marijuana to lead me away from pharmaceuticals and any kind of hard drugs. It really helps me out with my pain.”
Leake says getting to a dispensary isn’t easy for everyone.
“Some people don’t have cars. Some people take their bikes or have to Uber,” he said. “I’m not driving right now — I had to call an Uber. If I had to go to Daytona or somewhere farther, it would cost me a lot of money just to get my meds.”
Despite the concerns, some on the planning and zoning board urged their colleagues to focus on what they believe is best for the city.
“We cannot let emotions get in the way,” one member said. “We need to make a decision based on, ‘Do we think we have the right ratio (of dispensaries) for our town — yes or no?’”
The Deltona City Commission is expected to vote on the ordinance June 16. If approved, a second public hearing would take place in July. Passage on that second reading would make the ban official.