Schuh’s bill seeks to block medical marijuana

Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh has proposed zoning legislation essentially banning medical marijuana in that jurisdiction.

State Legislative leaders have expressed concern that local jurisdictions could use zoning to prevent medical marijuana dispensaries from opening, because the state law requires the dispensaries to follow all local planning and zoning regulations. The current law allows for two dispensaries in each state legislative district.

Schuh, a Republican, argued his proposal would allow for Anne Arundel to assess how the dispensaries work in other parts of Maryland and prevents the county from being used as a “guinea pig.”

“After a thorough review of the state law and hearing the concerns of public safety professionals, I believe allowing marijuana to be grown, processed and dispensed here will lead to increases in recreational use and cause significant public safety problems,” Schuh said in a news release announcing the legislation.

The bill be introduced to the Anne Arundel County Council on Sept. 21.  Republicans out number Democrats on the council four to three.

Earlier this month, the Baltimore County Council revamped a bill that would have set zoning restrictions on marijuana facilities after critics said it would essentially bar them from the county. The overhauled measure to create some zoning limits on the facilities passed after it was watered down.