JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – As the North Dakota Department of Health continues to work towards establishing Manufacturing Centers and Compassion Centers in the state as part of the medical marijuana initiative, counties and cities continue to work on special permits and zoning to accommodate them.

The City of Jamestown’s Building, Planning & Zoning Committee discussed their work on special use permits in regards to Compassion Care Centers operating as dispensaries in the area. Mayor Katie Andersen says there has been a lot of discussion of compassion centers locating in the state.

Mayor Andersen says they want to make sure all local concerns are addressed with the city’s compliance. Mayor Andersen says crime has been something that has been brought up by community members.

City Assessor Jamison Veil stated that the drafted permits before the committee were just pulled from other permits and were there for the city to work out how they’d like to see it.

Veil urged the council that there is limited time for applications. He says he has been bombarded with calls from interested individuals who would like to potentially set up a compassion center in Jamestown.

Police Chief Scott Edinger says at a conference he attended in Colorado, there has been many social issues with their marijuana laws.

Chief Edinger stated that a facility in Jamestown will possibly raise the same issues. The committee moved the special use permit issue to next month’s committee meeting for future discussion.