Directing city staff members to create an ordinance relating to the regulation of recreational marijuana is to be discussed at the Nov. 17 meeting of the Apache Junction City Council.

The council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chambers, 300 E. Superstition Blvd.

Arizona voters on Nov. 3 passed the “Smart and Safe Arizona Act,” a citizen initiative relating to the responsible adult use, regulation and taxation of marijuana also referred to as the “recreational marijuana act."

According to a presentation on the city’s website that is to be made to the council, direction to staff could be:

• Drafting an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance to regulate marijuana establishments and marijuana testing facilities in the same manner as medical marijuana dispensaries and cultivation facilities — through the city’s conditional use permit process, which includes specific zoning, limit on number of establishments, imposes separation distances and other requirements;
• Drafting an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance to allow marijuana establishments and marijuana testing facilities outright in certain zoning districts, to include limit on number, specify separation distances, delivery and signage considerations, subject to the city’s normal development and design requirements, etc.;
• Drafting an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance to prohibit marijuana establishments and marijuana testing facilities in the city;
• Drafting an ordinance to amend the zoning ordinance to allow existing medical marijuana dispensaries to becomes dual licensees, through a conditional use permit amendment process.
• Researching and reporting on what other Arizona cities are contemplating regarding regulating recreational use of marijuana.