Sarasota, FL Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Location rule
- Tied to pharmacy zoning
- Principal-use districts
- Where pharmacies are principal
- Accessory-use districts
- Where pharmacies are accessory
- Local ban
- None in zoning code
Summary
City of Sarasota allows medical marijuana dispensaries only in the same zone districts where pharmacies are a permitted principal or accessory use, rather than opting out.
Medical marijuana dispensary: An establishment where marijuana is dispensed for medical use to qualified patients. For purposes of this definition, the terms "marijuana," "medical use," and "qualified patients" shall have the meanings ascribed to them by F.S.(2017) § 381.986. Medical marijuana dispensaries are permitted as principal uses in those zone districts in which pharmacies are identified as permitted principal uses. Medical marijuana dispensaries are permitted as accessory uses in those zone districts in which pharmacies are identified as permitted accessory uses.
Medical massage therapy: Any method for treating or manipulating the soft tissue and/or external parts of the human body for remedial, therapeutic, educational, or health purposes. The massage practitioner must be a licensed massage therapist (LMT) by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy. The establishment must be licensed by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy.
Medical or dental laboratory: Establishment engaged in providing professional analytic or diagnostic services to the medical, dental, or other health service professions; includes denture laboratories and prosthetic facilities. Eyeglass and contact lens and denture manufacturing is permitted; all other manufacturing prohibited.
Medical or dental office or clinic: See office or clinic, medical or dental.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Zoning: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
Sarasota Zoning Code § II-201 defines a medical marijuana dispensary and ties its location directly to pharmacy zoning: dispensaries are permitted as principal uses wherever pharmacies are permitted principal uses, and as accessory uses wherever pharmacies are permitted accessory uses. The city hasn't written a local ban into its zoning code; instead it folds dispensaries into the same commercial and mixed-use districts that already allow pharmacies, subject to the § VII-601(o) separation standards from schools and other pharmacies.
Violations & Fines
Opening a dispensary in a zone district that doesn't permit pharmacies is an unpermitted use, subject to the same zoning enforcement as any unauthorized commercial use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a medical marijuana dispensary open in Sarasota?
Has the City of Sarasota banned dispensaries citywide?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota to another location·View the Florida cannabis regulations overview
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