DOVER — Levy Court commissioners voted 5-1 Tuesday to lease the former Monster Racing property at 26 Starlifter Ave. as the first medical marijuana dispensary in Kent County.

Commissioner Terry Pepper was absent during the meeting.

New Jersey-based Compassionate Care Research Institute Inc. will produce and dispense marijuana to people who have prescriptions.

The site is in the 115-acre Kent County Aero Park off Horsepond Road.

The building will only be leased for two years.

The non-profit corporation will pay $7,907.17 per month an additional $500 for maintaining the outside storage area, said county Economic Development director Jim Waddington.

The building will be leased as a triple net lease with the tenant responsible for paying the building’s property taxes, insurance and the cost of any maintenance or repairs the building may require during the term of the lease.

“It clarifies that the landlords are only leasing the space,” Mr. Waddington said.

Delaware’s first medical marijuana dispensary, First State Compassion Center in Wilmington, opened last year.

Medicinal marijuana is regulated through the Department of Health and Social Services with regulations reserving the prescription of marijuana to specific conditions, such as HIV/ AIDS, cancer-related pain and treatment side effects, Lou Gehrig’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Also included are other chronic or debilitating medical conditions which have not responded to previously prescribed treatment, or treatments that produce serious side effects.

“We are on a firm footing for this and as long as Delaware continues to regulate it in a strong and effective manner I’m for it and will continue to support it,” said Levy Court Vice President Bradley Eaby.

Commissioner Glen Howell voted against the approval.

“I have to respectfully vote no on this issue primarily because I don’t think it is appropriate for Levy Court to be associated with marijuana,” he said.

Commissioner Jody Sweeney said the move will improve the county’s economic position.

“This is a facility that Kent Count Levy Court purchased with the intent of bringing in businesses,” Commissioner Sweeney said. “Our intent is to improve our economic position and regardless what business it is, it’s a legal business.”