City set to block more pot shops
Looks as if Knox Medical and Curaleaf will be the only two medical marijuana dispensaries in Lake Worth.
The city inched closer to banning additional centers in Lake Worth on Tuesday by a 4-1 vote on first reading. Commissioner Omari Hardy was opposed.
The second reading is set for Sept. 13.
Vice Mayor Andy Amoroso said he supports medical marijuana and the legalization of it, but believes two centers are enough.
“We’re not denying access to medical marijuana to anyone,” he said. “Like (the Palm Beach County) Sheriff ’s Office said, both facilities have had no issues and I think they bring a value to the citizens of Lake Worth.”
Knox Medical opened at 1 S. Dixie Highway — an old bank branch — in November 2017 and Curaleaf launched at 1125 N. Dixie Highway in January 2018. Both serve Lake Worth and the surrounding areas and offer home delivery.
Sheriff ’s deputies recently toured both facilities and have said the owners have allayed their fears.
“They’re taking every precaution we can suggest to them,” Todd Baer, a sheriff ’s captain, told commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting.
Curaleaf has been in hot water for months because of its proximity to Academy for Positive Learning, an A-rated public charter school across the street. Bear said there were zero criminal complaints at both locations and minimal calls for service.
Hardy said the ordinance is not about banning the sale of medical marijuana in Lake Worth and is more about preventing a proliferation of centers in the city.
“Having this conversation is not an affront to the expressed will of the voters who voted for this in 2016,” Hardy said. “Having this conversation is part of our job ... so we can figure out what we want our city to be like.”
Mark Stivers, the city’s deputy director of community sustainability, said the Marijuana Policy Group, a California advocacy group, said the optimal rate is one dispensary per 67,222 residents. It recommended no more than one per 50,000 people.
Lake Worth has two and fewer than 40,000 residents.
“We meet or exceed those recommending things already,” Stivers said.
Several residents weren’t pleased.
Peggy Fischer called commissioners short-sighted. “What are y’all afraid of ?” she asked. “This is a business. It’s not a drug house or all the sober homes we have on Federal Highway. There are drug transactions going on at Walgreen’s at 10th Avenue 24/7 ... and y’all are worried about putting in another dispensary?”
Tammy Pansa said commissioners are scared that medical marijuana will take over the city.
“Simple economics will prohibit marijuana (from taking) over the city,” she said.
Mayor Pam Triolo said the city is only banning additional centers from opening.
“We have two already,” she said. “I have no problem with medical marijuana and I support it 110 percent. They’re doing a great job in the community.”