The Micanopy town commission is considering an ordinance that would temporarily ban medical marijuana dispensaries.
Micanopy officials are saying the ordinance would give them time to learn more about medical marijuana, but is there a market for CBD capsules and medical marijuana in Micanopy?
One town commissioner, Troy Blakely, says there is not — at least not enough to warrant a dispensary.
Cheryl Baldwin disagrees.
"I think there's a need not only for Micanopy, I think there's a need for the world, period," Baldwin said. "It's not just Micanopy. I mean, what do they think? They're gonna bring in more pot smokers? We got plenty of pot smokers in this town."
But the town commission is proposing an ordinance that would put a temporary freeze on applications for dispensaries in town.
"We just wanna be protective of, particularly, the historic district of our town," Blakely said.
The concern about dispensaries opening in the historic district started after medical marijuana became legal in the state.
Blakely says some in the community "saw a potential that may come to town that could disrupt or even destroy the historical aspect of downtown."
The town commission wants to take time to learn about medical marijuana and the laws around it before considering applications. Baldwin said elected officials should already be in touch with hot-button issues.
"They need to be educated. If they're going to be on the board and be commissioners in this town, then they need to get educated," she said.
If passed, the ordinance would be in effect for close to a year. The first of two public hearings on it will be held Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the town hall.