Lower Merion OKs Medical Marijuana Zoning Ordinance

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA – The Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners voted in favor of adopting its new zoning ordinance that amends a section of the township zoning code to lay out where and how medical marijuana facilities can operate in the township, as well as define various terms regarding medical marijuana, and other details.

At its Jan. 17 meeting, the board OKed the ordinance in a 9-5 vote.

According to the ordinance, dispensaries will be permitted to be set up in areas zoned C1 and C2, the Mixed Use Special Transportation District, the MC Medical Center District, the BMMD Bryn Mawr Medical District, the Bryn Mawr Village District, City Avenue District regional center area, and the Row Hill Rock Hill Overlay District.

It also permits growing operations in the township manufacturing and industrial districts, as well as for academic clinical research centers in the medial districts at Lankenau and Bryn Mawr.

The ordinance also sets rules for dispensary and growing operation locations. It states dispensaries and grow operations are not permitted to be located in the same facility.

There are six doctors in Bala Cynwyd who were recently approved to participate in the state's medical marijuana program. They are:

• Mark Avart, Bala Cynwyd
• Dori Middleman, Bala Cynwyd
• Teodora Schellato, Bala Cynwyd
• David Tabby, Bala Cynwyd
• Sara Tabby, Bala Cynwyd
• Mary Vandenberg-Wolf, Bala Cynwyd

Additionally, hours of operation for dispensaries are limited to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the new ordinance.

Various other facets, such as parking, security, and more, are included in the ordinance.

You can watch the commissioners meeting where they discuss the ordinance online here.

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