Pot shops are near impossible to open in Providence. This ordinance would change that.

Providence cannabis shops, now relegated only to the city's industrial zones, could set up in other sections of the city if an ordinance sponsored by City Council President Rachael Miller and Councilman Miguel Sanchez moves forward.

Currently, the city's zoning makes it virtually impossible for marijuana retailers to open a business in Providence, despite their legalization by the state. At present, Providence is only zoned for compassion centers, where patients with qualified medical conditions can obtain cannabis, and there is just one open in the city, on Corliss Street.

How would the ordinance allow more pot shops to open in Providence?

The ordinance would allow cannabis stores 500 feet away from schools instead of the current 1,000 feet. However, that larger buffer zone would remain in place for marijuana growers.

The ordinance would also allow dispensaries to exist in more commercial areas, rather than just in industrial zones. unlike the industrial zones to which they are currently limited in Providence. At present, Providence has just one dispensary just six other dispensaries exist around the state. The state Cannabis Control Commission is expected to weigh 24 more licenses this year, though the process has been slow-moving.

More: How are recreational pot sales in RI a year after legalization? What the numbers show.

Ordinance sparked by co-op seeking license in Providence

The ordinance was created after PVD Flowers, a planned cannabis dispensary run by a diverse worker cooperative, approached the City Council contending that zoning was making it too tough to get a storefront.

Andre Dev, one of PVD Flowers' worker-owners, called the challenges "pretty significant," and said he is stuck in a chicken-or-the-egg conundrum.

"You need real estate to get a license, you need a license and real estate to get funding, but you need funding to get real estate," Dev said.

More: $1.1M sits in an equity fund to help minorities start pot businesses. None has been spent.

In addition, Dev said special licenses cost thousands of dollars, thus favoring large businesses instead of small, local establishments.

If the ordinance passes, PVD Flowers could be allowed to operate in areas zoned as general commercial districts, a category that falls right between places with quiet neighborhood businesses and bustling shopping areas.

Miller said licenses for workers cooperatives and social equity applicants would be prioritized. The state will offer a limited number of licenses to pot shops in those categories. However, the definition of a social equity applicant is fairly broad. According to state law, that could mean "an applicant that has been disproportionately impacted by criminal enforcement of marijuana laws," a business owned by people who have lived in a "disproportionately impacted area" or "a member of an impacted family," or many other things.

Councilors say ordinance is about economy and 'war on drugs'

It was not immediately clear how much support the ordinance would have among the full Council. Miller and Sanchez said it was about the economy.

"This approach will stimulate economic growth and development, putting Providence in a competitive position to secure up to the four licenses allocated to our region," Miller said.

"We’re working to unlock the economic potential of cannabis after the failed 'war on drugs' campaign, while building a more inclusive and prosperous city for all our residents," Sanchez said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: More pot shops could open in Providence after this zoning change