Final adoption of the city's medical marijuana regulations - including a proposed cap on the number of providers - is on the Bozeman City Commission's agenda tonight.

Earlier this month, the commission voted to cap the number of medical marijuana providers allowed in the city at 32 - one for every 1,250 residents - for one year while the city tries out its new rules on the drug.

The city would also require providers with four or more patients to have a city business license, and providers outside city limits would need a license if they deliver to patients in Bozeman.

But medical marijuana advocates have asked the city to instead establish separate licenses and requirements for cannabis storefronts, growers and delivery services. That might allow more providers in the city, but limit the number of visible storefronts and facilities.

The city has already received enough license applications to exceed the proposed cap.

If the commission approves the rules tonight, they become final in 30 days.

The cap is part of an ordinance that outlines how medical marijuana can be used, sold and grown in the city.

The rules would make it a misdemeanor for patients to use medical marijuana in public; offenders could result in a $500 fine and up to six months in jail. The rules also call for a 1,000-foot buffer between schools and cannabis shops, city inspections of shops and banning shops from opening on Main Street downtown.

Exiting rules prohibit already providers from operating out of neighborhood homes and only allow growing operations on the outskirts of town, in areas zoned residential suburban, where agricultural uses are allowed.

In other business, the commission will:

• Discuss the Historic Preservation Advisory Board's role, including forming a "demolition-by-neglect" ordinance.
• Discuss special revenue funds, such as proposed increases in street assessments, in the city's $85.3 million recommended 2011 budget.
• Hear a presentation from the Yellowstone Business Partnership on a grant opportunity for sustainable communities.
• Consider an easement, design contract and change order for sidewalk infill along North Seventh Avenue.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 121 N. Rouse.

Meetings are televised live on Bresnan's channel 20.

Amanda Ricker can be reached at aricker@dailychronicle.com or 582-2628.

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