Ross approves minimum distance of 3,000 feet between medical marijuana businesses

The prospect of upwards of 19 medical marijuana businesses along McKnight Road didn’t sit well with Ross Commissioner Denise Rickenbrode.

That’s why, she says, she asked her fellow commissioners to triple the minimum distance between them from 1,000 feet to 3,000 feet. All but one agreed with her and approved the regulation at their July 21 meeting.

Including the two existing dispensaries on McKnight Road and a third commissioners approved in June, the 3,000-foot minimum distance will allow for a maximum of six dispensaries or growing and processing facilities.

“I just don’t want us to be the destination spot for marijuana,” Rickenbrode said. “If we do legalize recreational marijuana in the state of Pennsylvania, it is very possible they will use these dispensaries. By having an ordinance on the books for Ross Township, we’re protecting ourselves from an explosion.”

Commissioner Chris Eyster cast the only vote against the restriction. Commissioners Sarah Poweska and Pat Mullin were absent.

“The marketplace can regulate the presence of businesses in that area. I don’t see there being a proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries in that area,” Eyster said. “I thought the whole exercise of spending money to draft an ordinance, having the solicitor look at it and voting on something that’s not necessary is a waste of time and money.”

Commissioners President Dan DeMarco said Rickenbrode gave a good presentation in arguing for the increase from 1,000 feet to 3,000 feet, which he says is reasonable.

DeMarco made a connection between pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries.

“How many pharmacies are on McKnight Road? I doubt there are six pharmacies on McKnight Road,” he said. “If this is a medically prescribed drug, what’s the difference? Why would there be a demand for more of these places when there’s plenty of places for people to go to when it comes to any other prescription drug? I think three is more than enough to choose from.”

Two open dispensaries are on the northbound side of McKnight Road. Zen Leaf is located at 4778 McKnight Road, while Organic Remedies is at 7402 McKnight. They are about 1.4 miles, nearly 7,400 feet, apart.

Commissioners in May approved a third dispensary on southbound McKnight Road at 7711 McKnight. It would be closest to Organic Remedies, which is just under a mile, or more than 4,000 feet, south.

Ross limits medical marijuana facilities to its C-1 commercial and I-1 industrial zoning areas. They already were not allowed to be within 1,000 feet of the property line of a school, day care center, park or church, or within 300 feet of any residential district.

In addition to not seeing a risk of an escalation of the number of medical marijuana businesses, Eyster said the ones already there have been no harm to the community while producing revenue.

“There hasn’t been one law enforcement problem relative to those businesses,” he said. “They’re medical facilities. They’re highly regulated; they’re protected by security. There hasn’t been one incident in years. There’s no negative impact that comes to the community by virtue of those businesses.

“I believe in the free market economy. I don’t believe government should overregulate businesses, especially when it’s not necessary.”

Rickenbrode said the dispensaries are run “very well” and that state regulations are strict.

“I don’t have a problem with them at all. Their storefronts are aesthetically pleasing,” she said.

A distance of 3,000 feet was the maximum Rickenbrode found in researching what other Pennsylvania municipalities require.

She noted other businesses, such as car dealerships, like to concentrate in areas near each other to make it easy for shoppers who can then go to one area. And she was looking ahead to the potential of legalization.

“This is our chance to shape how we want Ross Township and McKnight Road to be,” she said. “I wanted to get ahead of any kind of problem.”