Clarksdale is making the rules to grow, package and sell marijuana and will soon publish an ordinance detailing where and how cannabis is produced, processed and peddled in the city.
The Clarksdale Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted a zoning ordinance hammered out by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their August meeting. The ordinance regulates how and where these businesses will operate in the community.
A majority of Mississippi voters approved a medical marijuana initiative in November 2020, and it will allow people to buy up to five ounces a month.
The Department of Revenue began reviewing applications for businesses to operate as dispensaries on July 1. More than 100 companies have been formed to grow, process and dispense marijuana in the state.
More than two dozen conditions and symptoms will allow Mississippians to qualify for a medical marijuana card. Those conditions include cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, autism and seizures. The state Department of Health began accepting applications for medical marijuana cards June 1. Department officials believe it will likely take months before businesses are licensed to sell marijuana. Those businesses still need time to grow and test their products.
Clarksdale’s ordinance will allow marijuana to be grown and processed in on property zoned commercial-industrial and industrial inside the city limits. Marijuana will be sold at property zoned commercial and neighborhood commercial but does not allow it to be sold in convenience stores.
City Board Attorney Melvin Miller said the ordinance follows state regulations that prevent the growing, processing or sale of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school or church.
Monday city board meeting was also a hearing to allow the public to comment on the ordinance.
Raymond Cole said he was concerned about the direction of Clarksdale and urged the city to only allow it to be sold with other regulated medications at drug stores.
“Alcohol is a drug and you can legally buy and purchase it, I understand that,” said Cole. “I’m more concerned with people driving under the influence and possibly hitting a child. I think you need to step back and think about what you are doing to Clarksdale.”
The law requires a person to have a medical marijuana permit or prescription from a doctor to purchase the drug.
Coahoma County has seen several requests for details on growing marijuana and processing it. Security, paperwork on how much is grown and where it is sent to be process and even how it is transported is addressed in the state’s law.
Businesses that will sell marijuana are being labeled as “dispensaries” and also have specifics on security, sale and how the drug is taxed.
In other business:
• The city voted to demolish the empty Campbell building on Desoto Ave., in northeast Clarksdale and set hearings for 514 Sixth Street and the old compress.
Ward 2 Commissioner Ken Murphey said the city has the ordinances and equipment to notify owners of dilapidated and burned-out houses that they need to clean up their property and those rules need to be enforced and used.
Ward 3 Commissioner Willie Turner said he was displeased that the city had to reset hearings, delay demolition and urged City Board attorney Miller to speed up the process and get lots cleaned up.
• The city issued a proclamation recognizing Clarksdale Thunder 10U team for winning the 2022 Dizzy Dean World Series in Southaven recently.
• Janise Ray, of 812 Martin L. King Boulevard, approached the board asking for repairs to the sidewalk in front of her house. She said she will also approach the county about doing the work.
• The board voted to authorize the Mayor to enter an agreement with the State Department of Transportation for a grant for the Sunflower Sidewalk Project. The project would build sidewalks from the highway to downtown with a price tag of roughly $500,000.
The city is putting the final touches on sidewalks on Desoto and Madison streets that also go from the highway to downtown. That work was paid for with funds from the $5 million 2019 infrastructure bond approved by voters.
• The board acknowledged receipt of funds from the Mississippi Tennis Association in the amount of $1,500 for fence repairs at the tennis court and authorized the City Clerk to issue payment to the Park Commission in the amount of$ 3,375.00 for the matching funds as agreed by the Board on Feb. 14.
• Commissioners voted to pay the following bills: City of Clarksdale, $1,858.09; MDA, $1,858.09; Jubilee Décor $ 19,560; Zurich, $2,675.13; Butler Tree Service, $4,000; Mayline Furniture, $9,287.00; Cornerstone Services, 5,434.46; city Visa bills, $4,123.42.
• The city discussed increasing the city chaplain’s pay to $875 a month.
• The city approved Dispatchers Grainger and Joiner to attend a Legal Liability for Dispatchers course in Senatobia, on Aug. 9.
• The city approved Dispatchers Grainger and Joiner to attend a Crisis Call Handling course in Senatobia, on Aug. 8.
• The city voted to allow the city ordinance enforcement officer to carry a city vehicle home.
• The city approved longevity pay increases for, Alvin Coley, Richard Trotter and Christopher Wilson.
• The city hired firefighters Tymarien Hawkins and Ryan Self; promoted to Captain Michael Grainger and Timothy Hudson; and promoted to Lieutenant William Haley.
• The city set a hearing for a rezoning request from Steve Hays at 1115 Desoto Ave., that would change the zoning from C-2 to M-1.
• The Board of Mayor and Commissioners recess until noon, Thursday, Aug. 4.
