Bonita Springs plans to temporarily restrict access to medical marijuana

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — City officials met Wednesday to discuss a proposal for a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in order to form zoning regulations before Amendment 2 becomes law.

Bonita Springs resident Deborah McLean strongly opposes the dispensaries and doesn’t want marijuana sold near her home.

“I don’t see any expertise,” she said. “I don’t see pharmaceutical level education on the people.”

But Lorraine Fiero, a healthcare provider from Denver, wants to open multiple dispensaries.

“I hopefully will own a few stores here and be able to serve this community,” Fiero said. “I am a healthcare provider and I treat people with diseases and I can’t help them.”

Fiero also explained she suffered from a severe neck injury and knows firsthand how powerful medical marijuana can be.

“They gave me an oil and within two days, I was feeling better,” she said. “I was on so much medication from the doctors office.”

Estero also put a moratorium in effect. Panama City, Sarasota and Bradenton are also taking similar action.

“This is something new for the state of Florida, something new for the city of Bonita Springs,” said Bonita Springs Mayor Peter Simmons. “We just want to make sure we get it right.”

The state won’t begin issuing licenses for dispensaries until September 2017.

City officials are expected to vote on the proposal in January.