Cocoa Beach finalizing plans to regulate medical marijuana

Tourists who come to Cocoa Beach flock to its world famous pier, and this icon is one of several narrow areas where the city might allow a marijuana dispensary to do business, should the state referendum on medical marijuana pass in November.

The city created a draft ordinance banning pot shops from a majority of the city, to preserve what Cocoa Beach’s staff say is it’s family friendly reputation.

There are several restrictions on where pot shops can be, according to a first draft of the ordinance.  For examples, a dispensary can only be on general commercial property that is not within 1,000 feet of a church or school, and not within 2,500 feet of another dispensary.

A dispensary also can’t go within 200 feet of the centerline of the most popular thoroughfares:  A1A, Minuteman Causeway, and State Road 520.  If there is a property beyond the 200 feet, then the dispensary can’t have signage.

What remains are the backsides of commercial properties, like the strip mall behind the popular Ron Jon Surf Shop, a slice of land a few blocks north of Coconuts on the Beach, and of course, the pier.  All are tourist hotspots.