Medicinal Marijuana to Catalyze Zoning Changes in Philadelphia

Medicinal marijuana was legalized in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Spring of 2015, licensing is set to begin in 2017, and the Philadelphia Planning Commission and its planning staffers are working diligently to see that the appropriate zoning changes are made to accommodate the medicinal marijuana market. It was made clear, however, that these proposed changes are specific only to medicinal marijuana, and should Pennsylvania ever legalize recreational use, future zoning changes would need to be made.

"The policy [Paula Brumbelow] Burns presented would allow growing marijuana in many types of industrial districts (I-1, I-2, and I-3). There are no setback requirements for marijuana growing facilities because all the work will be done inside.  Burns emphasized that the state is monitoring the nascent industry so closely that even the types of fertilizers and pesticides will be regulated," writes Jake Blumgart of PlanPhilly.

Additionally, while the Commonwealth has adopted distancing requirements for the dispensaries, given that Philadelphia is far denser than many other areas of the state, it is allowing Philadelphia to create its own distancing requirements.

"The dispensaries will be allowed in most commercial zoning districts with a couple notable exceptions, including CA-1, which promotes auto-oriented uses, and CMX-1, which allows neighborhood bodegas and such. The shops must be 1,000 feet from regulated uses—like pawn shops, check cashing, strip clubs—and 500 feet from protected uses like schools, churches, and public recreation facilities."

"The commission voted unanimously to recommend the legislation."