TUCSON (KVOA) – Zone changes for marijuana dispensaries have taken effect in Tucson to better meet demand as the leisure side of the business continues to grow.
The Tucson City Council first introduced specific zoning for marijuana when medical care became legal in Arizona. Now that recreation is legal nationwide, these changes have become a necessity.
Less restrictive zoning requirements make it easier for a new pharmacy to get to Tucson. This also makes it easier for an existing pharmacy to move or expand what they already have here.
Before this change, pharmacies had limited options.
“Initially, when we settled under medical prescription years ago, there weren’t many locations available so we kind of had the place to stay,” said Steve White, owner of the Harvest House of Cannabis.
Previous zoning requirements required pharmacies to be 1,000 feet from any school, daycare, library, church, or public park.
This has now been reduced to 500 feet, allowing pharmacies like Harvest to find more locations to run their business.
“We have malls with storefronts that are empty in many areas of the city,” said Steve Kozachik, Tucson city councilor. “Right now, due to the kickback restrictions, they are simply not available for places to move into.”
Other changes include the authorization of pharmacies to operate a drive-through service that was previously not allowed.
The size of the pharmacies is another problem as the business continues to grow.
Given the growing demand and the fact that both medical and recreational customers are visiting the pharmacies, the city has increased the previous limit of 4,000 square feet for pharmacies to 10,000 square feet per location.
“Everyone is working cooperatively to find a solution, and the city has taken a very big step in the process and it has done so very quickly,” said White.
“By eliminating these setbacks, these places are suddenly opening up and these are also places with a lot of parking,” Kozachik said.
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