Medicinal pot in limelight on Thursday

Medicinal pot patients are expected to learn Thursday whether Carson City is joining the medical marijuana establishment movement, the anticipated outcome.

In an evening Board of Supervisors session beginning at 5:30 p.m., citizens can weigh in with their views on an ordinance regarding zoning and related regulations that is anticipated to clear its final hurdle after testimony. The board gave 5-0 preliminary approval to the ordinance at the last meeting, which was on June 19.

After that initial approval, Mayor Robert Crowell said final adoption would be a “de facto” opt in for the city. He said, however, subsequent opt in or opt out language could be called for later, if necessary, when initial prospective applicants in the new state system seek locations in Carson City.

Nevada’s system calls for state regulation, but also for local zoning, business licensing and related oversight at the community level if medical marijuana establishments are allowed. The state’s window for applicants begins Aug. 5 and runs 10 working days. Carson City’s process would follow that.

The zoning part of city’s government’s draft ordinance restricts the establishments to general commercial areas and industrial areas. The city could have two dispensaries in the commercial areas along U.S. Highway 50 to the east and along South Carson Street to the south. There is no limit on the edible marijuana production facilities, cultivation facilities or testing labs that could go in the authorized industrial areas.

Thursday’s meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. but the evening session, which is unusual but part of the regular session, is to allow people wishing to testify to do so after regular workday hours.

In action earlier Thursday at the meeting, the board is slated to handle items involving heavy equipment purchases totaling $1.3 million, act on a low bid for a BMX Track Lighting project amounting to almost $169,700, and decide on approving up to $100,000 for on-call engineering services from Manhard Consulting LTD next fiscal year.