Nearly ten years after Florida voters approved medical marijuana, Miami has opened its first dispensary within city limits
Ayr Wellness, a major cannabis operator, launched its Midtown location at 3160 N. Miami Ave. on January 10, marking a significant milestone after years of delays and legal battles with the city.
For years, Miami remained a holdout in allowing dispensaries, even as surrounding cities embraced them. The resistance stemmed largely from city officials who argued that federal law, which classifies marijuana as an illegal substance, superseded state regulations.
Following the 2016 constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana in Florida, Miami city officials, led by then-city attorney Victoria Mendez, claimed that the federal Controlled Substances Act prevented them from approving dispensaries.
In the years that followed, the city watched other municipalities approve dispensaries with specific zoning regulations. But Miami remained an “island of prohibition” until legal pressure forced its hand.
In 2021, real estate investor Romie Chaudhari sued the city after officials blocked his plans to open a dispensary near popular nightclubs Space and E11even. Despite a federal judge ruling in his favor, the city’s zoning office continued to appeal the decision.
The legal battle reached a turning point in May 2022 when the Miami City Commission struck down the zoning office’s appeal, clearing the path for dispensaries to finally open within city limits.
Despite the legal victories, city commissioners Joe Carollo and Manolo Reyes remained vocal opponents of medical marijuana dispensaries.
Reyes argued that children would gain access to marijuana products, while Carollo claimed that cannabis use would disproportionately harm Black and Hispanic communities. At one meeting, Carollo dismissed the ordinance as a “Cheech and Chong” law, warning that Miami could become a “free-for-all” for drug use.
Both Carollo and Reyes voted against issuing permits for dispensaries. However, they were outnumbered by fellow commissioners who supported aligning Miami with the rest of the state on cannabis regulation.
The new dispensary in Midtown is part of Ayr Wellness’s larger expansion in Florida. The company, which acquired Liberty Health Sciences for $372 million in 2021, now operates 67 locations across the state.
Ayr Wellness executives say the Miami market has long been underserved when it comes to medical marijuana access.
Rob Vanisko, vice president of public engagement for Ayr Wellness, expressed excitement at the dispensary’s opening after a five-year battle.
“This has been a long process, from lease signing to approvals and appeals,” Vanisko said. “We’re thrilled to finally open our doors and serve the Miami community.”
Vanisko and Ayr Wellness’s chief development officer, Jamie Mendola, believe that concerns from opponents like Carollo and Reyes are outdated and unfounded.
Mendola pointed to studies showing that cannabis legalization has not led to increased youth consumption, contrary to critics’ fears.
“In markets where regulated access is limited, the demand doesn’t disappear — it just goes to unregulated, unsafe sources,” Mendola explained. “Providing a safe, legal alternative is essential.”
Ayr Wellness hopes that its Midtown dispensary will meet the growing demand for medical marijuana in Miami-Dade County, where an estimated 62,800 residents rely on cannabis for medical treatment.
A New Era for Miami
The opening of Miami’s first dispensary marks a new era in the city’s approach to medical marijuana. After years of resistance, the city has joined the rest of Florida in recognizing the need for accessible, regulated cannabis products.
As more dispensaries apply for permits in the wake of Ayr Wellness’s success, the city’s long-standing opposition to cannabis may finally be coming to an end.
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