Municipal Regulation of Marijuana: Guidance on Permitting, Licensing and Zoning for Medical and Recreational Uses

Marijuana regulation has become an immediate and front-and-center consideration across all levels of government. A recent survey of state regulations found that while only nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, 29 states and D.C. permit medical use, and 13 states have decriminalized (but not legalized) the drug. Some municipalities, caught in the crossfire of conflicting levels of legality, have passed local ordinances decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis.

In addition to addressing issues of policing (in cases of legal/decriminalized use), local governments must consider how to effectively structure and manage a regulatory environment that accommodates an industry of businesses that has, until recently, thrived outside the bounds of the law.

Robust frameworks for permitting and licensing are critical tools in regulating these businesses. Considerations like the allocation of resources and coordination between departments like licensing, community development, finance, police, fire, health, and code enforcement in the development and implementation of permitting and zoning codes also play a crucial role.

Listen as our panel explores some of the most effective strategies for developing and managing a regulatory environment for cannabis businesses, licensing, zoning and permitting considerations for recreational use in legalized/decriminalized jurisdictions, and the interplay of local ordinances with state and federal regulations.

1. Overview of state regulation
   1. Medical use
   2. Legal recreational use
   3. Decriminalized
2. Municipal regulation
   1. Commercial concerns
      1. Zoning
      2. Permitting
      3. Licensing
      4. Inspection/enforcement
      5. Taxation and fee collection
   2. Non-commercial
      1. Ordinance drafting/revision
      2. Policing
      3. Resource allocation

The panel will review these and other high profile issues:

• Equitable allocation of departmental resources in licensing, zoning, permitting and enforcement for commercial stakeholders
• Structuring zoning buffers to limit access to other community components
• Land use classifications for cannabis businesses (growth, processing/manufacturing, dispensary)