BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – A proposed ordinance drafted by the City of Biloxi’s administration would remove cannabis-related businesses like dispensaries and research facilities from the list of businesses allowed in downtown zoned areas.
Cannabis-related businesses that already operate downtown or already applied for permits would not be affected.
On Monday, WLOX News asked some downtown business owners for their opinions on the issue.
“We’re under the impression that this is a historical downtown meant for families and small businesses to thrive. With the addition of a medical cannabis facility, we just don’t feel like it’s the right fit for downtown,” Andrea Jenkins, owner of Threaded Cork said. She told WLOX News that if a dispensary opens nearby, it could be bad for her business.
“I feel like that, you know, that type of specific customer base is not going to take advantage of the rest of our shopping district,” she explained. “It worries me being a small business owner, a female, by myself here a lot. We already have issues with panhandlers and with the homeless, it has gotten better, but I feel like this might dredge this up a little bit.”
But the majority of the downtown businesses that WLOX News spoke to were not bothered by the prospect of having cannabis-related facilities next door.
“I don’t believe people who use medical marijuana are necessarily nefarious, so I don’t see why it would cause any problems,” Jessie Zenor, co-owner of Greenhouse Biloxi said. “It’s a legal business. I believe that they have requirements to maintain security and it’s regulated by the government, so I don’t think there would be any more crime than any bars or casinos bring.”
Music store owner Marley Roberts agreed.
“I really don’t think it would affect things negatively,” he said. “Worst-case scenario, somebody comes by the businesses, gets a cup of coffee, and sits and listens to some records for a while.”
Cannabis-related businesses are allowed in most non-residential districts. As the city’s zoning ordinance currently stands, approval must be given for downtown and waterfront-zoned properties. If the ordinance change passes, downtown would be removed from that list.
Biloxi City Council will take up the issue on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.
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