The Mitchell Planning Commission heard variance requests from several medical cannabis dispensaries yesterday.

FSST Pharms, doing business as Native Nations Cannabis, would be located at 1620 South Burr Street. That location would not be in accordance with city ordinance in that it would be too close to another medical cannabis dispensary. It would also be too close to Mitchell Technical College. The variance was approved, as the commission noted that Native Nations Cannabis had submitted their application without knowing another dispensary would be too close. The Native Nations Cannabis plan was also approved by the commission.

DLJ LLC is proposing its dispensary be located at 501 East Juniper. It sought a variance for also being too close to another medical cannabis dispensary. Attorney Doug Dailey represented two area property owners who were opposed to the variance due, in part, to safety concerns. He also noted that the city ordinance was drafted to prevent a concentration of the dispensaries in one particular area. The variance was denied and DLJ LLC’s plan approval was tabled.

The third dispensary asking for a variance was Genesis Farms, which is proposing its location to be in downtown Mitchell at 106 West 5th Avenue. According to the city ordinance, it would be too close to two churches. Those opposed also noted that the dispensary would be located close to a youth teen center and Big Friend, Little Friend, which serves at-risk youth. The variance was denied. The commission did grant Genesis Farms a conditional use permit.

The Planning Commission’s decisions are recommendations. The applicants will have a chance to once again ask for the variances at the next Mitchell City Council meeting.