Orange County will extend a moratorium on medical marijuana activities for another six months as state lawmakers work on a plan to implement the medical marijuana amendment.

County commissioners approved the plan to extend the moratorium on development permits for any medical marijuana-related activities in unincorporated area of the county. 

The ordinance was originally set to expire May 23. 

The moratorium may end sooner if the county establishes new or amended rules in that time. 

“The extension to the temporary moratorium will allow (county) staff to continue tracking proposed state legislation and potential impacts to local government,” the agenda item said.

Commissioners are concerned about the location of marijuana dispensaries and want to make sure they are not located near schools, churches or tourist attractions.

Florida lawmakers are close to voting on bills to implement the medical marijuana amendment, but the House version of the bill is far more restrictive than the Senate's version.

Also at the Orange County Commission meeting:

Orange County Fire Rescue is asking the commission to allow them to attain FAA approval to use drones to help fight fires.

Drones can provide elevated vantage points and thermal imaging, firefighters have said.

“A (drone) program would improve Fire Rescue’s ability to assess wildfires, search for victims in a variety of incidents, evaluate building fires, map areas involved in Fire Rescue operations, and conduct reconnaissance of hazardous materials releases while reducing the risk to first responders and the general public,” the agenda item states.