In response to a Georgia law allowing medical marijuana production and sales, Alpharetta plans to limit where dispensaries and facilities can operate in their city.
The Alpharetta Planning Commission has recommended the City Council amend the city code so businesses that sell or produce “low THC oil,” or medical marijuana oil, will be a conditional use in light industrial districts.
Under a new state law passed this year, six businesses will be able to sell, grow and manufacture medical marijuana oil, which can have no more than 5% THC, the compound that gives marijuana users a high.
So far, no companies have applied to open dispensaries or production facilities in Alpharetta, but the city’s staff received an inquiry about potential marijuana business locations outside light industrial areas, Community Development Director Kathi Cook told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“We want to follow approvals from the state,” Cook said. “When there’s new uses that come into the community, we have to make sure our code … keeps up with state regulations.”
Alpharetta has areas zoned for light industrial use along Mansell Road, Old Milton Parkway and other corridors, Cook said. In Alpharetta, light industrial zoning is for businesses with limited manufacturing, assembling, wholesaling, warehousing and other related activities.
The City Council is scheduled to consider the measure during its regular meeting on Sept. 27.
Cook said the recommendation is in response to the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission’s selection in July of six medical marijuana producers granted permission to sell the drug. Each licensee will be authorized to open five dispensaries.
The proposed amendment would not allow the businesses to be closer than 2,000 feet to child care centers or schools, churches and other worship centers, government buildings, parks, residential dwellings, treatment centers for alcohol or substance abuses, or any other medical marijuana business.
