Marijuana Business Magazine May-June 2020

Marijuana Business Magazine | May-June 2020 74 Z oning rules create complicated and vexing issues for those wanting to open a marijuana business in almost any U.S. market. “Zoning is the biggest barrier in Maine,” said Tammie Snow, a cannabis attorney in Portland. And it’s not just in Maine. “We have seen an exponential increase in zoning questions over the past year,” said Jade Green, CEO of Seattle-based CannaMLS, which claims to be the world’s largest online marketplace for buying and selling cannabis real estate, licenses and businesses. Green said CannaMLS—with its more than 3,500 listings nationwide—fields a growing number of zoning questions as more states and municipalities legalize marijuana sales. But the task of addressing zoning issues can be made easier if cannabis entrepreneurs work with city officials early in the process and enlist the aid of experts familiar with local rules and regulations, which can vary greatly from community to community, even in the same state. Just don’t expect a fast process. Snow tells her clients they’ll likely spend three months to a year or more dealing with zoning and other regulatory hoops before opening a marijuana business. PATCHWORK OF RULES Dealing with zoning and buffer issues—including the distance between a marijuana business and schools, day-care centers and other facilities—isn’t just time-consuming but expensive. Zoning-related issues are a major obstacle for entrepreneurs looking to open a marijuana retail outlet or other business. Dealing with zoning and buffer issues—including how far a marijuana store must be from schools, day-care centers and other facilities—cannot only be time- consuming but expensive. Here are key factors to consider: • Zoning and related regulations vary widely between communities. • The task of addressing zoning issues can be made easier by dealing with city officials early in the process and enlisting the aid of experts. • Zoning regulations can slow or even derail the launch of marijuana businesses. • Solutions to zoning complications can range from working to change the rules to using high-tech maps to help pinpoint where marijuana businesses are allowed. • Hemp businesses typically face fewer zoning issues than marijuana retail stores. A geographic information system (GIS) image of Miami Beach, Florida, shows where medical marijuana properties are available. Image courtesy of CannaMLS. Jade Green ZONING MAZE