Orlando extends moratorium on pot dispensaries

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The Orlando City Commission has extended the moratorium on marijuana dispensaries until the New Year. Here's what it means for sellers and users in Orlando.

The Orlando City Commission said "no" to any new pot dispensing facilities in the city until January 1, 2017.
Mayor Buddy Dyer says it’s a prudent step to make sure the city can handle Florida’s growing pot prospects.

“We thought there would only be one dispensary in our community. But there can be any number of dispensaries.

So we want to take a look at the zoning and where it would be appropriate for them to be located,” Dyer said.

Three locations have already been pre-approved for supplying medical marijuana to patients, and they will still be allowed to set up shop.

Trulieve Orlando, will be located at 4544 N. Orange Blossom Trail. Knox Medical will be at 1829 N. Orange Ave. Surterra Therapeutics has also been pre-approved but hasn't picked an address, yet. No other businesses will be approved to provide pot this year.

Mayor Dyer says Orlando needs these months to adjust to the changing times. “As a city, we need to be prepared for the eventuality that now medical marijuana is legal and how are we going to handle the dispensing of that.”

Florida voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana last week. Dyer says the day may come that Floridians may even expand that right - and the city should be ready.

“Also in the future, we're going to have to be ready, if it passes on a statewide basis, that recreational use is also approved.”

So far, voters in seven U.S. states and the District of Columbia have approved recreational pot use.