The city’s planning board is considering new zoning regulations for medical marijuana facilities. The new regulations were on the board’s agenda for its March 10 meeting. The rules would permit medical marijuana facilities — known as “alternative treatment centers” — in hotel/retail and rural and industrial districts outside the center of the city. The rules also prohibit ATCs from opening within 1,000 feet of a school or a drug-free school zone and limits hours of operation to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
The state Department of Health and Human Services is currently reviewing 14 applications for ATCs in four regions around the state. Eric Borrin, director of contracts and procurement for DHHS, said there are multiple applications for each region, but he could not offer specifics on which cities and towns applicants have chosen.
Though no companies have filed an application with Dover to open an ATC, deputy city manager Chris Parker said Nucleus One, a Maine-based company, has expressed interest in Dover and other locations and the city “decided it was better to be proactive and review the community’s options … before any applications come forward.” If the planning board approves the regulations, a public hearing will be scheduled and the city council will vote on adopting the new rules. — Larry Clow