Sussex County Changes Marijuana Zoning Regulations

SUSSEX COUNTY, Md. — The Sussex County Council has approved changes to zoning restrictions for marijuana dispensaries.

The loosened restrictions will make it easier for marijuana dispensaries to open in Sussex County. Under the new updates, marijuana businesses will no longer be required to have conditional use approval and are no longer limited to the C3 Commercial District.

Now, retail marijuana stores are allowed as a permitted use in both the C3 and C2 commercial districts. Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum said the updated restrictions were proposed to mirror those in other Delaware counties.

“The state expressed a desire for us to change it to make it more aligned with what other counties had done and more in line with the alcohol limitations, because businesses and dispensaries had reached out to us,” Gruenebaum said.

Under the updated regulations, retail marijuana businesses are no longer required to be located at least 3 miles from municipal boundaries. The distance has been decreased to one-half mile.

Gruenebaum added that the updated restrictions mirror the current zoning regulations for liquor stores in Sussex County, a move that helps ensure fairness between the two industries.

“I think consistency in laws means you’re not favoring one industry over another, you’re not setting up unrealistic barriers, or giving favorable treatment to one industry over another,” Gruenebaum said.

Retail marijuana businesses are still required to be located at least 3 miles from other marijuana businesses, liquor stores, churches, schools, colleges, and substance abuse treatment facilities.