City planners and police have been considering new rules to regulate and allow dispensaries in Sarasota, in certain limited circumstances, since before voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 2 to legalize medical marijuana last fall.

They then imposed a nine-month moratorium on the development of any dispensaries while they and state leaders vetted their proposed rules.

But under the new state law implementing the amendment, signed by Gov. Rick Scott last week, cities and counties are given an option to outright ban new dispensaries within their boundaries, and City Attorney Robert Fournier is recommending the city take it.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170629/sarasota-to-consider-banning-medical-marijuana-dispensaries