Mitchell City Council denies variance requests for two medical marijuana dispensaries

The Mitchell City Council on Monday night denied variance requests for two medical marijuana dispensaries.

First on the agenda was DLJ LLC, whose proposed location at 501 East Juniper would be within 1,000 feet of another dispensary. That would violate the ordinance drawn up by the council regarding dispensaries. Don Livesay, representing DLJ LLC, asked the council to table his application if the variance request was denied.  After a 30-minute discussion, the vote regarding DLJ’s variance request was a 4-4 tie, but it needed six votes to pass. DLJ’s application was tabled to allow Livesay to find an alternate location.

Genesis Farms proposed their dispensary be located at 106 West 5th Avenue in downtown Mitchell, which would be within 300 feet of a religious institution. That also violates the city ordinance.  The council approved a conditional use permit for Genesis Farms but denied the variance request by a 5-3 vote. Their application was also tabled by the council.

The council also approved its first medical marijuana cultivation application for BWC Mitchell LLC, doing business as BesaMe.  BesaMe also was one of the first medical marijuana dispensaries approved by the Mitchell City Council.  It will operate out of the former Runnings building at 1400 South Burr Street.