FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - The Frederick County Council is seeking citizens' views on whether marijuana production should be allowed on land zoned for agricultural use.
The public hearing Tuesday afternoon follows a request from a group that wants to grow cannabis at an existing greenhouse business in Middletown.
The county zoning administrator says local land-use regulations currently allow growing of medical marijuana only in industrial zones.
The group seeking the change says marijuana is a crop, and growing it in farming areas makes sense.
Opponents say it's smarter and safer to grow pot inside an industrial park warehouse. They say greenhouse-grown plants are more likely to be targeted by thieves.
The state of Maryland plans to award 15 licenses to grow medical marijuana by the end of January.
