Pasco County, FL Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Treated As
- Pharmacy equivalent
- Permitted Zone
- C-2 Commercial
- State License
- OMMU MMTC required
- Preemption
- FL §381.986(11)
- Operating MMTCs
- Multiple. Wesley Chapel, NPR, Trinity
Summary
Pasco County permits state-licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) in C-2 commercial zones with pharmacy-equivalent standards per FL §381.986(11). Local zoning cannot ban MMTCs if pharmacies are allowed.
(a) A medical marijuana treatment center cultivating or processing facility may not be located within 500 feet of the real property that comprises a public or private elementary school, middle school, or secondary school. (b)1. A county or municipality may, by ordinance, ban medical marijuana treatment center dispensing facilities from being located within the boundaries of that county or municipality. A county or municipality that does not ban dispensing facilities under this subparagraph may not place specific limits, by ordinance, on the number of dispensing facilities that may locate within that county or municipality. 2.
Full Breakdown
Under Florida Statute §381.986(11), Medical Marijuana Treatment Center dispensaries must be regulated the same as licensed pharmacies, counties and cities can either permit MMTCs where pharmacies are allowed, or ban them entirely countywide, but cannot impose stricter standards than those applied to pharmacies. Pasco County permits MMTCs in C-2 General Commercial and similar districts where pharmacies operate, under LDC §400. Several MMTCs operate in Pasco including locations in Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Land O' Lakes, and Trinity (Trulieve, Curaleaf, Fluent, Liberty Health Sciences, and others). State-mandated buffers do not exceed those applied to pharmacies; Pasco does not impose additional school/church buffers beyond state law. All MMTCs are vertically integrated under state license, dispensary operation requires a Florida Department of Health OMMU license. Patient verification via state registry is mandatory before sale.
Violations & Fines
Unlicensed dispensary operation: felony under FL §893.13 and MMTC license forfeiture. Sales to non-registered patients: OMMU license revocation. Zoning violations for siting outside permitted zones: $250-$1,000/day under Code Ch. 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there medical marijuana dispensaries in Pasco County?
Can Pasco County ban medical marijuana dispensaries?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasco County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pasco County to another location·View the Florida cannabis regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.