Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Lancaster - The Lancaster Law Director's Office is working on legislation to ban medical marijuana dispensaries from opening in the city limits after local law enforcement officials and the city administration.
Lancaster City Council's Law Committee met Wednesday to discuss how to be proactive about medical marijuana dispensaries and where or if they would be allowed to function in city limits. Assistant Law Director Kyle Witt said the state law allowing possession of medical marijuana will take effect in September, but it will be about two years before the legislature creates regulatory, production and retail systems and dispensaries can sell their product.
There is some leeway in the law that allows municipalities and townships to further prohibit or ban medical dispensaries in their area, Witt said. Under Ohio's law, marijuana can be sold as edibles, patches and oils, among other forms.
The law states that medical marijuana dispensaries must be at least 500 feet away from schools, churches, libraries of playgrounds. Witt used the city of Hamilton as an example of an Ohio municipality already being proactive in banning dispensaries.
Witt said one local attorney approached him informally, saying a client was interested in setting one up in Lancaster, but there have not been many inquiries.
After discussing the issue at length, the Law Committee, which is comprised of council members David Uhl, Randy Groff and Harry Hiles, asked Witt to draft legislation to bring before the Law Committee by August. Because it is a zoning issue, the City Planning Commission would have to review and approve it. There also would be a public hearing on the matter, which was tentatively planned for the commission's September meeting.
The Law Committee would then take the proposed legislation to the City Council for a vote.
Ohio Municipal League Executive Director Kent Scarrett said several members have been talking about this issue and are planning to be more prohibitive on the local level.
"We're thankful we were given the discretion," Scarrett said about the new law.
He said many municipalities are concerned about public safety and whether costs for public safety will increase as a result of the law.
Major Crimes Unit Commander Dennis Lowe spoke on the issue Wednesday, calling for an all-out ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, sayin that problems with such businesses are inevitable. Lowe said robbery, theft and conversion of the medical marijuana is likely and has occurred in other states allowing the practice.
Lancaster Police Chief Don McDaniel also recommended a ban. Both McDaniel and Lowe were concerned by the high-potency products getting into the hands of a child as they can be shaped as candy and sweet treats. They said it also is nearly impossible to monitor the quality of the products and THC levels.
Until the state legislature creates regulatory standards for Ohio marijuana dispensaries, it will be legal to possess medical marijuana with a valid prescription, but illegal to buy within the state. Witt said consumers would have to travel out of the state to purchase medical marijuana.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Moves To Ban Pot Dispensaries
Author: Spencer Remoquillo
Contact: 740-654-1321
Photo Credit: City of Lancaster
Website: Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
Lancaster City Council's Law Committee met Wednesday to discuss how to be proactive about medical marijuana dispensaries and where or if they would be allowed to function in city limits. Assistant Law Director Kyle Witt said the state law allowing possession of medical marijuana will take effect in September, but it will be about two years before the legislature creates regulatory, production and retail systems and dispensaries can sell their product.
There is some leeway in the law that allows municipalities and townships to further prohibit or ban medical dispensaries in their area, Witt said. Under Ohio's law, marijuana can be sold as edibles, patches and oils, among other forms.
The law states that medical marijuana dispensaries must be at least 500 feet away from schools, churches, libraries of playgrounds. Witt used the city of Hamilton as an example of an Ohio municipality already being proactive in banning dispensaries.
Witt said one local attorney approached him informally, saying a client was interested in setting one up in Lancaster, but there have not been many inquiries.
After discussing the issue at length, the Law Committee, which is comprised of council members David Uhl, Randy Groff and Harry Hiles, asked Witt to draft legislation to bring before the Law Committee by August. Because it is a zoning issue, the City Planning Commission would have to review and approve it. There also would be a public hearing on the matter, which was tentatively planned for the commission's September meeting.
The Law Committee would then take the proposed legislation to the City Council for a vote.
Ohio Municipal League Executive Director Kent Scarrett said several members have been talking about this issue and are planning to be more prohibitive on the local level.
"We're thankful we were given the discretion," Scarrett said about the new law.
He said many municipalities are concerned about public safety and whether costs for public safety will increase as a result of the law.
Major Crimes Unit Commander Dennis Lowe spoke on the issue Wednesday, calling for an all-out ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, sayin that problems with such businesses are inevitable. Lowe said robbery, theft and conversion of the medical marijuana is likely and has occurred in other states allowing the practice.
Lancaster Police Chief Don McDaniel also recommended a ban. Both McDaniel and Lowe were concerned by the high-potency products getting into the hands of a child as they can be shaped as candy and sweet treats. They said it also is nearly impossible to monitor the quality of the products and THC levels.
Until the state legislature creates regulatory standards for Ohio marijuana dispensaries, it will be legal to possess medical marijuana with a valid prescription, but illegal to buy within the state. Witt said consumers would have to travel out of the state to purchase medical marijuana.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Moves To Ban Pot Dispensaries
Author: Spencer Remoquillo
Contact: 740-654-1321
Photo Credit: City of Lancaster
Website: Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
