The Town Council will take up the issue this week of whether to grant expanded operating hours for Nature’s AZ Medicines, the medical marijuana dispensary in Fountain Hills.

This is the second time since opening in 2013 dispensary operator Mark Steinmetz has been to the council asking for longer hours.

The council originally adopted an ordinance allowing the dispensary to be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In March 2014, council approved an amendment to the ordinance granting operating hours between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Steinmetz is now asking to be allowed to remain open between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days a week. He argues that state law allows that and he should be able to have business hours similar to those of pharmacies.

Steinmetz also said the current hours are too restrictive and patients cannot get to his store when they need to.

When the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the request in April, it voted 6-1 to recommend the Town Council deny Steinmetz’s request.

Commission members stated they believe the existing hours are adequate to serve the medical marijuana needs of Fountain Hills residents.

Members of the substance abuse coalition present at the P&Z meeting opposed expanding the hours saying it made marijuana easier for youths to get.

They also accused Steinmetz of trying to better position his business in the event recreational retail use of marijuana is approved by voters in an upcoming election.

The council will consider the request when it meets Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public and there will be a public hearing on this issue.