Here's where medical marijuana could be sold under Sioux Falls' proposed rules

Sioux Falls officials have released maps showing potential locations where medical cannabis dispensaries and testing facilities could be located within the city.

The maps, released Tuesday, show large portions in northern and western Sioux Falls, but in the southern, eastern and central parts of the city, eligible locations are few and far between even under recently loosened restrictions proposed by the city.

Dark green portions of the map show areas that are at least 1,000 feet away from "sensitive uses," which include single-family homes, twin homes or townhomes, churches, schools, daycares, public use facilities and parks.

More: Sioux Falls proposes to loosen potential zoning regulations for medical cannabis dispensaries

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The lighter green areas would be eligible under the city's most recent proposed changes to the proposed ordinance, which would require a conditional use permit. Those locations are 500 feet away from all sensitive uses, except for schools, which are required to be separated by 1,000 feet under state law.

Prospective owners of a dispensary or testing facility looking to apply for a conditional use permit would be subject to public input on the plan, and would need to take extra steps to separate the land from other nearby buildings.

That proposed change to the ordinance comes after local advocates said last week Sioux Falls city officials have used their power to enforce a "de facto ban" on medical marijuana, because cities have the say through zoning regulations to determine what types of buildings go where and what conditions they're required to follow.

More:Medical marijuana advocates say Sioux Falls' proposed rules are 'de facto ban' on dispensaries

The Sioux Falls City Council would have the final vote on whether to grant such a permit.

The maps also note they are for "general reference only" and any building plan would require an individual site evaluation.

Regardless of whether they are built under a conditional use permit, dispensaries must be 1,000 feet from each other, and testing facilities must also be 1,000 feet away from each other.

Testing facilities have slightly more space under the proposed ordinance, as they can be built in industrial zones that dispensaries cannot.

The Sioux Falls Planning Commission will decide whether to recommend passage of the ordinance at its Wednesday meeting.

Regardless of that decision, the ordinance will then go to a first vote at the Aug. 17 Sioux Falls City Council meeting