applications in the first six months. Medical marijuana was big business, and
people were positioning themselves for when the authorization for the use of
recreational marijuana passed, likely in the near future; this was evidenced by
the growth of the industry in other western cities, such as Seattle, and what it
had one to their downtown areas.
He was not against marijuana, but if
Lauderhill was surrounded by several cities with larger populations that chose
not to move aggressively, as the City Commission appeared to be considering
doing, the question of why should be asked. As members of the Commission
directed city staff to conduct more research on the matter in order to ensure the
text amendment sufficiently protected the City, he wished to know why the
Commission considered approval on first reading rather than tabling the matter
to allow the requested research to take place. He urged the Commission to
table the matter, allow staff time to research and analyze the information
collected, and make text changes as necessary, rather than risk having to redo
the first reading due to the need to make extensive changes resulting from
staff’s research.
Mr. Lawrence reminded the Commission that once the law
was passed, they did not get to pick and choose to whom it should apply.
A motion was made by Commissioner M. Dunn, seconded by Vice Mayor S.
Martin, that this Ordinance be tabled to the City Commission Meeting, due back
on 4/14/2025. The motion carried by the following vote:
5 -
Yes:
Commissioner R. Campbell, Commissioner M. Dunn, Commissioner J. Hodgson,
Vice Mayor S. Martin, and Mayor D. Grant
0
Abstain:
Mayor Grant understood public input was not usually permitted when an item
was tabled, but she allowed public input on the above matter.
Willie Mae Cooper, Lauderhill resident, and president of the West Ken Lark
Homeowners’ Association (HOA), thanked the members of the Commission
who approved tabling the previous agenda item. She expressed concerns with
regard to permitting medical marijuana dispensaries in the Lauderhill
community; they already had issues with lottery in her community, and people
loitering at those stores. She had no wish for their community to become a
dumping ground for such uses, so the elected officials were thanked for
listening to residents’ concerns, as sometimes the Commission moved so
quickly, and passed items without first listening to the heartbeat of the
community.
The Commission was elected by the residents, and their tax
dollars paid the salaries of elected officials who worked for Lauderhill citizens,
so the latter should be listened to.
Varion Harris, Lauderhill resident, and president of United Lauderhill Community
Association, asked if medical marijuana was considered
substance.
a
controlled
City Attorney Ottinot answered, yes, under federal law marijuana was
controlled substance.
a
Mr. Harris questioned why the Commission sought to allow a use in Lauderhill
that, if legal, could be dispensed at existing pharmacies in the City; if approved,
the Commission would be sending the wrong message to Lauderhill’s youth.
He asked if the distance limitation would not further limit the placement of the
subject use in close proximity to residential uses, particularly in light of all the
new residential development taking place along the 441 corridor. The presence
