TULSA, Okla. -- Many looking to launch marijuana growing and processing facilities in city limits said after Wednesday's vote, they're hitting the ground running.
Tulsa city council passed an ordinance to provide clarity on where businesses can be and what they should look like. Those starting a business said they wanted this backing from the city before opening doors.
"With not knowing what the zoning was and where we could actually be located, we've kind of been in limbo. I know some companies have actually started and gone out there but it's kind of scary not knowing what was going to come about and of you were going to lose your location," Stacey Madlock said.
One attorney is behind multiple lawsuits involving cities like Broken Arrow, but he told 2 Works for You that won't be an issue in Tulsa.
"I don't think the city of Tulsa took the position that they were trying to keep out any of these products. They went about it in a very sensible way. It took us a few versions of this thing to get it right, but I think we're as close to right as any city I've seen so far," Ronald Durbin said.
Some guidelines include dispensaries have a security system with surveillance cameras, and research facilities can't give off a smell or noise. Business owners said they're happy to meet the rules and make an impact on the community.
"We can help. There's so many things that we can do. We've been out there meeting patients and finding out what their needs are. We're ready, we just want to get out there and be able to help them," Madlock said.
Certain rules were struck from the ordinance, like keeping dispensaries more than 1,000 feet from each other, grandfathering in those with a license.
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