Committee discusses cannabis ordinance

CLOVIS — When cannabis dispensaries open up shop next year in Clovis, they’ll probably have to do so more than 300 feet from existing schools, churches, rehab centers, playgrounds or public parks, and more than 500 feet away from other dispensaries.

That’s according to an ordinance that will soon make its way through the Clovis city commission. The city’s planning and zoning commission met Wednesday to discuss the planned ordinance, which city officials want in place before the state begins accepting dispensary applications Sept. 1.

The Wednesday meeting took place after a June 30 study session including the city commission and the planning and zoning commission. It focused on zoning and where cannabis businesses will be able to sell their product.

“The more restrictive we make this,” Chairman Steve North said, “the more difficult it is for businesses to open these establishments, ultimately pushing them into the county and (thus denying) the city and municipality the benefit of the gross receipts tax.”

After North brought up the gross receipts tax issue, Commissioner Candace Morrison asked how much GRT cannabis sales could actually bring in for the city.

“It’s an unknown thing,” District 1 City Commissioner Juan Garza said, “but just given the fact that we’re close to the border with Texas there’s going to be a lot.”

Also discussed were operation hours. City Attorney Jared Morris suggested an 8 a.m.-8 p.m. window of operation. Some of the commissioners expressed their discomfort with having the business being open that early in the day.

P&Z Commissioner Travis Cline expressed his initial discomfort with the time frame, but then went on to explain that he had begun to think of it like alcohol sales, which are allowed that early in the morning.

Garza stated that part of his concern comes from the idea that schools are also opening at 8 am.

“Is mama dropping the kids off,” Garza said, “and going to the dispensary right at 8 o’clock? I find that a little problematic for me to understand, but it’s possible.”

Commissioners ultimately decided on a 9 a.m.-8 p.m. window.

Morris told commissioners any restrictions have to be made in relation to traffic, pedestrians, safety, or children, and can’t simply be made because they don’t like marijuana.

“It has to be based on health and safety of the community,” Morris later told The News. “So keeping the amount of congested areas where there’s a lot of traffic and pedestrians, I think the rational there would be public safety.

“You don’t want impaired driving near a lot of people and businesses. Keeping (cannabis establishments) away from schools, I think the rationale is you don’t want kids to be exposed to it and see the signs and to smell it and see people using it.”

The ordinance will be introduced to the city commission in its Thursday meeting. If introduced, the commission would then consider final adoption in its Aug. 19 meeting to allow time for public input.