Cape Girardeau commission sets recommendations for regulation

By Brandon Dunn

On Wednesday Cape Girardeau’s planning and zoning commission set forth their recommendation for regulations to be approved by the city council.

Medical marijuana facilities in city limits will still abide by the state mandated 1000 ft buffer zone from churches, day cares, and schools.

Dispensary facilities will be permitted in 4 non-residential zones; CBD Central Business District, C-1 General Commercial, C-2 Highway Commercial, and M-1 Light Manufacturing Industrial and would be restricted to operating between 7am and 7pm.

City planner Ryan Shrimplin said that with the required buffer only a small area of the central business district, an area around Broadway and Henderson and Park avenues, would meet qualifications.

No dispensary facilities would be permitted on Main Street or in the downtown riverfront corridor.

Marijuana infused products manufacturing facilities, medical marijuana transportation services, and testing facilities would be relegated to M-1 Light Manufacturing Industrial and M-2 Heavy Manufacturing Industrial Zones.

Cultivation facilities would also be zoned as M-1 Light Manufacturing Industrial and M-2 Heavy Manufacturing Industrial Zones, but could also operate in one of the city’s two agricultural zones.

Medical marijuana facilities other than dispensaries would be permitted to operate 24 hours per day.

The final approval for regulations rests with the city council.