City commission adopts ordinances for zoning and licensing of cannabis establishments

The Madison City Commission has adopted ordinances regarding zoning and licensing for medical cannabis establishments in the city.

Commissioners approved each of the two ordinances on 4-to-1 votes Tuesday, with Commissioner Kelly Dybdahl voting against them.

The city’s ordinance regarding zoning for cannabis establishments adds cannabis dispensaries to the list of principal permitted uses in the city’s Highway Business zone.  

The ordinance states that the city shall allow two cannabis establishments and states the required separation distances and other location requirements for them.  

Commissioner Dybdahl said that he had some concerns with the ordinances.

City Administrator Jameson Berreth said that the zoning ordinance includes definitions of different types of establishments, but for now only dispensaries will be permitted in the city. 

As far as licensing for cannabis establishments in the city, the city’s ordinance will require a new application fee of 15-hundred dollars and an annual fee for the license of one dollar per capita based on the city’s official census population.