unsplash-032923-marijuana-licensing-updates-approved — A view of marijuana flower sitting next to two rolled joints. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

National pot-dispensary chain applies to open in city

Apr 4, 2023

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Trulieve Cannabis could soon be providing marijuana to the people of Maricopa.

The Florida-based dispensary expressed interest in building a marijuana facility in Maricopa, based on a neighborhood meeting notification sent March 8. If opened, this would be the first dispensary in the city.

In the letter, Trulieve announced it filed an application for the construction and operation of a cannabis establishment. It would be located on the southwestern corner of John Wayne Parkway and Honeycutt Avenue, in the proposed rezoning area of Maricopa Station.

A neighborhood meeting was held on March 23 at the Maricopa Library and Cultural Center. Another meeting will be held during an April 10 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at City Hall.

The dispensary’s proposed proximity to several Maricopa schools has drawn criticism from Maricopa Unified School District and some city leaders. Current zoning codes restrict the location of marijuana facilities to a minimum of 500 feet from schools. The dispensary’s proposed location would place it within 600 feet of Maricopa High School.

This map shows the 500 and 1,500 feet radius of the proposed Trulieve Cannabis dispensary, based on a description in a notice letter sent March 8, 2023. The dispensary is to be located on the southwestern corner of John Wayne Parkway and Honeycutt Avenue. Maricopa High School, which sits at the northeast corner of Taft and Honeycutt avenues, would well within the 1,500 foot radius.

“I’m concerned that 500 feet from schools is simply not enough,” said Planning and Zoning Commission Vice Chair Bill Robertson during a March 28 P&Z meeting. He later recommended increasing the minimum distance.

Mayor Nancy Smith agreed.

“1,500 feet is the distance that’s required for tobacco and alcohol facilities, so it doesn’t make sense to have something different for dispensaries,” Smith said.

Trulieve has not responded to a request for comment on the proposed location.

This information comes at a time when Maricopa’s city government has proposed changes to its zoning code laws on dispensaries, including distances from schools. The changes will be discussed and potentially approved during an April 4 city council meeting.

Trulieve is a Florida-based cannabis business that has grown into one of the largest marijuana retailers in the nation, particularly after it acquired the Arizona-based Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. Trulieve currently has 20 Arizona stores, including one in Casa Grande under the Harvest brand.