Los Angeles investors can open up shop as Miami City ends a years-long silent ban on medical marijuana providers There are over 425 dispensaries spread across the state of Florida. Somehow, Miami has none. That should change soon. Last week, a 3-2 vote from Miami City Commissioners granted a certificate of land use to Los Angeles investors. Investment group MRC44 now has plans to open the city’s first medical cannabis dispensary after years of delays. The policy change will allow the LA group to start the permitting process required to open a new dispensary. Their location will be located downtown near Space and E11even nightclubs at 90 NE 11 Street, in the historic Overtown neighborhood. City Attorney Victoria Mendéz blamed the conflict between state and federal cannabis laws for the lack of decision-making on the matter. What took so long? When the statewide referendum to legalize Florida’s medical marijuana industry went into effect in 2016, the city of Miami did not make a move to ban or regulate medical marijuana dispensaries. But surrounding municipalities Coral Gables, Aventura, unincorporated Miami-Dade County, and South Miami all welcomed the opportunity to participate in Florida’s sprouting cannabis economy.
Lyneisha Watson, Leafly, 05/18/2022 12:12:00