Casa Grande Dispatch
A Valley businessman who recently proposed a medical marijuana dispensary in the vacant hospital at 450 W. Adamsville Road has withdrawn his application.
The Florence Planning and Zoning Commission had been expected to consider Rakesh “Rocky” Pahwa’s request for a conditional use permit this week. Instead, town representatives are working with Pahwa to identify other potential locations in Florence and Pinal County, Assistant Town Manager Jess Knudson said.
The Florence Unified School District owns property across from the hospital on Adamsville Road, and state law forbids a dispensary from being too close to a school or its accompanying grounds.
There would be fewer potential locations in Florence if the council approved an ordinance adding new rules for medical marijuana to town code. A proposed ordinance further narrows where a dispensary may be located by forbidding one closer than 500 feet from the existing right of way or easement for Hunt Highway, Felix Road, Arizona 287 or Arizona 79/79B.
