The Board of County Commissioners adopted a Land Development Code amendment that removes medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) from several commercial, mixed-use and other zoning categories in the unincorporated county, effectively preventing new dispensaries from opening outside city limits.

County legal staff told the board state law requires the county either to regulate MMTCs exactly like pharmacies or to ban them. The amendment takes the latter route for unincorporated Citrus County; staff noted existing licensed dispensaries may continue to operate in their current locations but could not expand or relocate in unincorporated areas.

Public testimony included remarks from the Anti-Drug Coalition and local residents who said the county already has sufficient dispensary access, that additional outlets risk normalizing cannabis for youth, and that visible dispensaries perform poorly for community aesthetics. The Anti-Drug Coalition emphasized youth prevention and local health concerns.

The board voted 5–0 to adopt the amendment. Staff and speakers noted that statutory constraints limited the county’s options; the decision applies to new dispensary approvals in unincorporated Citrus County.

Why it matters: The change freezes new dispensary growth in unincorporated areas, which advocates said is necessary to limit youth exposure and curb proliferation, while advocates for medical access said current locations and home-delivery options remain available to patients.

Next steps: Staff will codify the ordinance amendments in county code; existing dispensaries in incorporated areas or already licensed will not be required to close but may be constrained from expanding within the unincorporated county.