The launch of a new FLUENT Cannabis dispensary at 2440 NE Miami Gardens Drive in Aventura has drawn criticism and concern from local families and childcare staff, due to its immediate proximity to Stop & Play: Drop-in Childcare and School. The situation has triggered ongoing conversations about the placement of medical marijuana businesses near facilities serving young children.
Andrea Diaz, a mother with a child enrolled at Stop & Play, voiced her discomfort with the dispensary’s location, noting that she prioritizes her child’s safety above all. She compared it to opening any adult-themed business next to a preschool and expressed worry over the potential influence on children.
Marlo Planas, who co-owns Stop & Play, said feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly negative. “Not one parent has told us they’re okay with this,” she stated. Planas also noted safety concerns, pointing out that any security issues or disturbances at the dispensary could force the daycare into lockdown mode—a serious disruption for both staff and children.
At the center of the controversy is a gap between state and local regulations. Miami-Dade County law prohibits dispensaries from operating within 1,000 feet of schools or childcare facilities. However, Florida state law only enforces a 500-foot buffer zone from public and private schools, not daycares. Because state law takes precedence, the county’s stricter rule was overridden, allowing the dispensary to legally open next door to the childcare center.
Responding to public concern, FLUENT Cannabis CEO Robert Beasley said the company aims to be a responsible member of the community. “This is a medical facility. We’re not running a head shop or encouraging recreational use,” he said. Beasley emphasized that the dispensary serves only patients with valid medical cannabis licenses and that fears over public disruptions are likely exaggerated.
FLUENT officially moved its operations from North Miami Beach to the Aventura location in February 2025. The new site features a more modern layout, including digital menu displays, an expanded product vault, and additional checkout stations. During its March 2 grand opening, FLUENT hosted a community event with special promotions and made a charitable donation to 305 Pink Pack, a nonprofit supporting women with cancer—part of the company’s broader effort to engage positively with the surrounding community.
Despite these outreach efforts, many families remain uneasy about the dispensary’s proximity to children. Max Platonov, another parent, expressed concern about the messaging children might receive: “These kids are just learning how to read. I don’t want my child asking about cannabis because they saw a sign next door.”
The ongoing dispute illustrates the growing pains of Florida’s evolving medical marijuana industry. It also underscores a need for consistent regulations that take into account not just legality, but community impact. With increasing demand for cannabis access, state and local governments face mounting pressure to balance business expansion with neighborhood standards and the well-being of families.
Ultimately, the situation in Aventura may become a case study in how cannabis-related zoning issues are handled in other parts of Florida as the state continues to grapple with the fast-changing cannabis landscape.