Information about the zoning requirements adopted by Arizona cities.

Nogales Closing a Gap on Pot Dispensaries

Nogales International:  “With five applications pending from people who want to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Nogales, and the possibility that state voters will legalize recreational pot in November, the city is finally moving to establish rules for where and when marijuana-selling businesses could operate.  The Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved recommending that the Nogales City Council adopt regulations regarding marijuana dispensaries, more than five years after the voter-approved Arizona Medical Marijuana Program went into effect in April 2011.”

By |2017-02-04T07:33:05-07:00May 23rd, 2016|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Nogales Closing a Gap on Pot Dispensaries

Phoenix Attacks Pot

Phoenix New Times:  “The Phoenix City Council voted 8-0, with Sal DiCiccio not voting, to thwart patients and future, potential customers of adult-use marijuana stores with new restrictions that limit where medical-marijuana dispensaries could be located. Some on the council would have made the rules stricter, if they could have, the Arizona Republic‘s Brenna Goth reported.

By |2016-05-01T07:12:39-07:00May 1st, 2016|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Phoenix Attacks Pot

Phoenix Limits Marijuana Store Sites

Arizona Republic:  “New medical-marijuana facilities will lose some options of where they can locate in Phoenix, under stricter rules approved by the City Council on Wednesday.  Dispensaries, as well as cultivation and infusion businesses, will have to find sites farther away from residential areas and places of worship than previously required by the city.  Phoenix also added day-care centers, homeless shelters and youth community centers to the list of places a facility must be at least a quarter-mile from.  The City Council voted 8-0 to pass the new regulations with an emergency clause, making them effective immediately.”

By |2016-04-22T15:26:47-07:00April 22nd, 2016|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Phoenix Limits Marijuana Store Sites

Tucson Makes It Easier for Medical Marijuana Dispensaries to Expand

Tucson Weekly:  “It’s going to get a lot easier for medical marijuana dispensaries in Tucson to expand thanks to three zoning amendments the City Council passed Tuesday evening.  Here’s the good news:  Outdoor cultivation of medical weed is now allowed in industrial zones in accordance with state law. The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act says that outdoor growing is good to go only if the area is surrounded by 10-foot walls made of metal, concrete or stone that prevent outsiders from seeing the marijuana plants.”

By |2017-02-12T07:41:25-07:00February 25th, 2016|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Tucson Makes It Easier for Medical Marijuana Dispensaries to Expand

Mesa Nixes Zoning for Medical Marijuana Dispensary

arizona.newszap.com:  “A majority of the Mesa City Council voted to approve rezoning property to light industrial for a planned medical-marijuana dispensary at 6350 E. Main St., but legal property-owner protests in the area required at least a 6-1 vote, the council was told May 5.  The proposed business would have been in the Mesa Central CHAA – or Community Health Analysis Areas for Arizona’s medical marijuana program – with boundaries of Power Road, Country Club Drive, University Drive and Broadway Road, Gordon Sheffield, city of Mesa zoning/civil hearing administrator, told the planning board Feb. 18.  The city requires that medical-marijuana dispensaries be in industrial-zoned areas.  There is no industrial-zoned land in the CHAA,”

By |2017-02-12T07:40:47-07:00May 14th, 2014|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Mesa Nixes Zoning for Medical Marijuana Dispensary

Medical-Marijuana Dispensaries Win County Battle, but Montgomery’s War on Law Goes On

Phoenix New Times:  “The fight for a medical-marijuana dispensary on unincorporated Maricopa County land won a key victory on Wednesday with the Board of Supervisors lifting its ban on the shops. But the five Supervisors — one Democrat and four Republicans — and the county attorney continue to see the case as their ticket to overturning the state’s voter-approved medical-pot law.”

By |2014-02-06T08:09:40-07:00January 30th, 2014|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Medical-Marijuana Dispensaries Win County Battle, but Montgomery’s War on Law Goes On

Maricopa County to Allow Growing of Medical Marijuana

Arizona Republic:  “The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a zoning ordinance allowing medical-marijuana dispensaries in Maricopa County’s unincorporated areas, winding down more than two years of resistance in the face of an adverse Superior Court order.  Maricopa County previously had a zoning classification that blocked medical-marijuana dispensaries within the county’s jurisdiction. The county stood firm on that policy despite voter approval of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act in 2010, which put the state’s medical-marijuana program into effect in many Valley cities.”

By |2014-01-30T07:49:48-07:00January 30th, 2014|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Maricopa County to Allow Growing of Medical Marijuana

Scottsdale Council Rejects Bid for Medical-marijuana Bakery

Arizona Republic:  “The Scottsdale City Council has turned down a request to open a medical-marijuana bakery in the Scottsdale Airpark.  Pure Bliss Premium Medibles sought a conditional-use permit to operate the medical-marijuana kitchen at a site near Redfield and Hayden roads, which previously was approved for two dispensaries that never opened.”

By |2013-11-23T07:42:38-07:00November 23rd, 2013|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Scottsdale Council Rejects Bid for Medical-marijuana Bakery

Florence May Amend Dispensary Zoning Ordinance

Florence Reminder & Blade Tribune:  “Town staff is proposing changes to the medical marijuana ordinance in response to some of the recurring issues and concerns with past applications to operate a dispensary in Florence.”

By |2013-09-13T07:39:56-07:00September 13th, 2013|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Florence May Amend Dispensary Zoning Ordinance

Mesa Wrestling with Own Rules on Pot-clinic Sites

Arizona Republic:  “Zoning rules limiting the locations of Mesa medical-marijuana dispensaries could be eased after a potential dispensary operator’s struggle to find an appropriate site sparked a push among city officials to re-examine city guidelines.

By |2013-09-12T20:46:59-07:00September 12th, 2013|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Mesa Wrestling with Own Rules on Pot-clinic Sites

Prospective Pot Dispensary Seeks Relief on Glendale Ordinance

Arizona Republic:  “A [prospective] medical marijuana dispensary  [Advanced Pain Solutions ] is seeking Glendale’s OK to locate closer to a school and a residential zone than allowed under city ordinance. . . . Under the city’s ordinance, dispensaries must be 500 feet from a residential zone and 1,320 feet or quarter of a mile from a school. Toris said the applicant is seeking variances, allowing it to be 425 feet from a residential zone and 1,263 feet from a school, North Pointe Preparatory, 10215 N. 43rd Ave.”

By |2012-08-18T09:36:50-07:00April 16th, 2012|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Prospective Pot Dispensary Seeks Relief on Glendale Ordinance

Chino Valley Mulls Medical Marijuana Ordinance

Chino Valley Review:  “While currently no applications for medical marijuana dispensaries or cultivation centers are pending for Chino Valley, the town Planning and Zoning Commission is attempting to stay ahead of the curve by presenting to the town council recommendations for local regulation of these type of businesses.”

By |2017-02-12T07:38:05-07:00April 12th, 2012|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Chino Valley Mulls Medical Marijuana Ordinance

Medical-pot Dispensary Fee Charged Twice by Scottsdale

Arizona Republic:  “A yearlong delay in state authorization of medical-marijuana dispensaries has winnowed the field of applicants in Scottsdale to just four businesses.  Each of the four applicants is seeking a city use permit to operate a marijuana dispensary in the Scottsdale Airpark. Under state rules, only one will be awarded a dispensary license. . . . applicants are: The Giving Tree Wellness Center, 7655 E. Evans Road. MMRX, 15455 N. Greenway Road, Suite C-22. True Health Care LLC, 14666 N. 74th St.  Valley Wellness Center, 7825 E. Redfield Road.”

By |2012-08-18T10:09:25-07:00March 10th, 2012|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Medical-pot Dispensary Fee Charged Twice by Scottsdale

Marijuana Dispensaries Renew Push to Open in East Maricopa County

East Valley Tribune:  “Tempe had more interest than any East Valley city last year when municipalities began sifting through applications for dispensary locations.  Mesa has also seen renewed interest, while Gilbert’s had a single inquiry. Chandler hasn’t had any new interest, and a city official said it’s unlikely a dispensary will find a place to open in that community despite the state’s medical marijuana program going forward.  The would-be dispensary owners flooded cities last year with applications, totaling more than 80 in the East Valley. Tempe was overwhelmed with about 50 applications, while Mesa fielded 35. Chandler and Gilbert had only a few applications per city. . . . Department of Health Services rules administrator Tom Salow said he doesn’t expect the agency will issue all of the 126 licenses this year that are available. Tribal nations will likely block the 18 dispensaries that the geographical system would set aside for them.”

By |2012-02-13T06:45:07-07:00February 13th, 2012|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Marijuana Dispensaries Renew Push to Open in East Maricopa County

Phoenix Pot Dispensary Request Put Off for 2nd Time

Arizona Republic:  “A medical-marijuana dispensary request in northeast Phoenix has been postponed a second time due to redtape in state government. . . . The applicant, Linda Sonder of American Healthcare Alternatives, needed a permit plus zoning variances because the site is closer to residences and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve than the city ordinance allows.”

By |2012-08-18T10:01:44-07:00February 8th, 2012|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Phoenix Pot Dispensary Request Put Off for 2nd Time

All Applications for an Arizona Medical Marijuana Dispensary Must Include a Zoning is Good Letter from the Zoning Authority

by Mike Wakefield,  Architect

If you will be submitting an application to operate a medical marijuana dispensary, infusion, or cultivation center in the state of Arizona, then you will need to include a zoning approval letter (aka comfort letter) from the local city, town, or county for each location in your application to the AZ DHS.

The purpose of this zoning approval letter is to confirm that the location of the facility from which you plan to operate is within an area designated as legal per local zoning ordinance code and is not encroaching within a certain distance of specific areas including schools, churches, residences, and other local pending medical marijuana dispensary, infusion, or cultivation centers.

In order to acquire a zoning approval letter, you must submit a zoning application package – which includes:

1. Completed Application Form (forms are available online for each city, town, county);

2. Plot Map Showing The Location of the Building, Suite, or Portion thereof where the facility is located;

3. Legal Description of the Building, Suite, or Portion thereof where the facility is located;

4. Accurate Distance Table that identifies the approximate distances of schools, churches, residences, and other local pending medical marijuana dispensary, infusion, or cultivation centers from your proposed location.

If you should have any questions regarding this process, contact Mike Wakefield at 623-533-3281 or visit his website.

By |2015-04-06T18:50:22-07:00January 25th, 2012|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on All Applications for an Arizona Medical Marijuana Dispensary Must Include a Zoning is Good Letter from the Zoning Authority

Pure Medical Marijuana & Wellness Center II Sues Fountain Hills Over Medical Marijuana Dispensary Zoning

Arizona Republic:  “A non-profit corporation has filed a lawsuit against Fountain Hills, claiming the town’s medical-marijuana ordinance ‘unreasonably restricts’ potential locations for a dispensary.  Pure Medical Marijuana & Wellness Center II filed the civil suit in Maricopa County Superior Court. The town and Town Council are named as defendants. . . . One medical-marijuana dispensary will be allowed within the town”

Query: Are Pure Medical Marijuana & Wellness Center II, Inc., and its attorney unaware that the medical marijuana industry in the United States is dead.  See “Medical Marijuana Dispensaries are Dead in the United States.”

By |2019-06-14T08:25:43-07:00October 13th, 2011|AZ Marijuana Law Lawsuits, Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Pure Medical Marijuana & Wellness Center II Sues Fountain Hills Over Medical Marijuana Dispensary Zoning

Scottsdale Revisiting Its Medical Marijuana Rules

Arizona Republic:  “Scottsdale is updating its rules on medical marijuana despite a halt of the statewide regulatory process.  As Arizona continues to grapple with the legality of its voter-approved law, Scottsdale has suggested changes to its ordinance governing marijuana dispensaries and other uses, including smaller ‘caregiver cultivation’ operations.”

By |2012-08-18T10:09:34-07:00September 20th, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Scottsdale Revisiting Its Medical Marijuana Rules

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Thumbs Its Nose at Arizona Voters & Prohibits Medical Marijuana Dispensaries on County Land

From the elected elites think they know what is best for the ignorant voters department:  Arizona Republic:  “The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday changed county zoning rules to disallow medical-marijuana dispensaries or cultivation sites on county land unless marijuana becomes a federally approved drug.”

By |2011-09-01T07:16:21-07:00September 1st, 2011|Zoning|Comments Off on Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Thumbs Its Nose at Arizona Voters & Prohibits Medical Marijuana Dispensaries on County Land

Springerville Zoning Department Wastes Its Time & Approves a Medical Marijuana Dispensary

White Mountain Independent:  “The planning and zoning department approved a conditional use permit for a medical marijuana dispensary at 24 W. Main Street. . . . Even though the permit was issued, it’s not clear at this time when or if a dispensary will open at that location.”

By |2011-08-13T07:32:10-07:00July 25th, 2011|Zoning|Comments Off on Springerville Zoning Department Wastes Its Time & Approves a Medical Marijuana Dispensary

Phoenix Suspends Time Requirement on Marijuana Permits

Arizona Republic:  “Phoenix has suspended its 180-day requirement for holders of medical-marijuana permits to seek state licenses. . . . 87 applications for medical-marijuana operations came into the city since Jan. 1. Of those, only about 20 have been approved.”

By |2012-08-18T10:01:55-07:00July 8th, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Phoenix Suspends Time Requirement on Marijuana Permits

Clueless Ahwatukee OKs Medical-marijuana Dispensary Zoning

Arizona Republic:  “A Phoenix zoning administrator has approved a medical marijuana dispensary for Ahwatukee Foothills, despite objections from officials at two nearby schools and an area pediatrician.  On Thursday, Foothills resident Matt Waltz, who owns a Tempe construction company, obtained a zoning variance for a dispensary in a shopping center at the southeastern corner of 46th Street and Chandler Boulevard.”

By |2011-07-02T06:06:04-07:00July 2nd, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Clueless Ahwatukee OKs Medical-marijuana Dispensary Zoning

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Zoning Developments

Here are some stories from the Arizona Republic about recent developments with use permits for medical marijuana dispensaries.

By |2012-08-18T09:43:54-07:00June 20th, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Medical Marijuana Dispensary Zoning Developments

Gilbert Rejects Proposals for 2 Medical-marijuana Dispensaries

Arizona Republic:  “Gilbert Town Council has sided with opponents of two proposed medical marijuana dispensaries and rejected a Planning Commission recommendation the two facilities be approved and sent to the state for further action.  The council on Thursday granted the appeals of several nearby residents and business owners who contended the two proposed dispensaries in the town’s northwestern part of town violated the town’s requirement that they be located a minimum 1,000 feet away from a community park.”

By |2012-08-18T09:34:01-07:00June 12th, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Gilbert Rejects Proposals for 2 Medical-marijuana Dispensaries

Phoenix Suspends Time Requirement on Marijuana Permits

Arizona Republic:  “Phoenix has suspended its 180-day requirement for holders of medical-marijuana permits to seek state licenses.  The move is a result of the state lawsuit against the federal government regarding clarification of Arizona’s medical-marijuana law.”

By |2012-08-18T10:02:04-07:00June 8th, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Phoenix Suspends Time Requirement on Marijuana Permits

Residents near Scottsdale Saguaro High School Resist Proposed Medical-marijuana Site

Arizona Republic:  “Residents living near Saguaro High School fought off a proposed medical-marijuana dispensary this week but opposition to 11 other dispensaries and five cultivation facilities proposed for Scottsdale was rather muted over the past two months.  The Scottsdale Planning Commission, besieged by a packed hearing room, voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend denial of a city-use permit for Taxonomy Healing Practices in an office building southwest of McDonald Drive and Granite Reef Road.”

By |2012-08-18T10:09:43-07:00May 31st, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Residents near Scottsdale Saguaro High School Resist Proposed Medical-marijuana Site

Glendale OKs 3 Medical-marijuana Facility Applications

Arizona Republic:  “The most likely way Glendale residents will know if a medical-marijuana facility sets up shop in the city is when the business opens.  The City Council in February adopted regulations for medical-marijuana facilities that don’t require merchants to apply for a conditional-use permit, which could trigger a public hearing. . . . Glendale has received nine applications since March 25. Five were either rejected by city planners because the location conflicted with the zoning or were withdrawn by the applicant.”

By |2012-08-18T09:37:04-07:00May 19th, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|1 Comment

Medical Pot: Concerns, Challenges for Rural Areas

Arizona Republic:  “Most cities in Arizona have already approved zoning regulations in preparation for June 1, when the Department of Health Services will start accepting applications for dispensaries, said Ken Strobeck, executive director of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Mos communities have taken a similar route as Kingman by allowing dispensaries in industrial areas, Strobeck said, with few willing to let them operate in main business areas.”

By |2011-05-10T07:27:19-07:00May 10th, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Medical Pot: Concerns, Challenges for Rural Areas

Gilbert Protesters Challenge Pot Dispensaries

Arizona Republic:  “The Gilbert Planning Commission on Wednesday approved permits for two proposed medical-marijuana dispensaries in the town’s northwestern corner, but not before fielding protests from several nearby residents and business owners.  Contentious discussions on marijuana-related issues lasted several hours, but by night’s end, Sonoran Star Remedies and Beleaf Inc. became the first two dispensaries to receive permits to operate in Gilbert.”

By |2012-08-18T09:34:25-07:00May 6th, 2011|Stories & Articles, Zoning|Comments Off on Gilbert Protesters Challenge Pot Dispensaries
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