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Board recommends denial of ordinance to ban marijuana dispensaries after public comment
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously to recommend denial of Ordinance 2024‑20, which would ban marijuana dispensing facilities, after public comment questioned the ordinance’s language and factual basis.
Staff introduced Ordinance 2024‑20, drafted to ban medical and nonmedical marijuana dispensing facilities within Lake Worth Beach. Staff noted the intent was to treat both medical and non‑medical dispensing facilities the same in the event of a state change.
Public commenter Peggy Fisher objected to the ordinance language as inflammatory and untrue, saying the city should not deny access for medically necessary uses and asking for crime statistics or the source of the draft language. After public comment, Vice‑Chair Daniel Walesky moved to recommend denial of the ordinance to the City Commission; Henry Pawski seconded and the board voted unanimously to recommend denial. Board Attorney Elizabeth Lenihan stated the language in the ordinance was taken from existing code 'whereas' clauses. No crime statistics or empirical evidence were presented during the hearing to substantiate claims about dispensaries' impacts.
