Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
As Ohio legalizes marijuana for medical use, for now, the city of Lorain will block any businesses from growing, processing or selling the drug.
On Dec. 6, Lorain City Council approved a 12-month moratorium on any building permits or certificates of occupancy for anyone seeking to distribute medical marijuana.
The time is needed for Lorain to create its own rules and regulations on marijuana establishments, while waiting for state rules out of Columbus.
Ohio's marijuana legislation, known as House Bill 523, became effective Sept. 8. The state has established a program to help the public learn about new rules governing the drug.
Lorain's moratorium legislation was based on what is happening in other communities and conversations with the Police Department, said city Safety-Service Director Dan Given.
The city administration wanted a moratorium to make sure the state puts rules in place and everyone understands them, Given said.
Once the rules are out, the administration also will discuss enforcement with the Police Department, he said.
"More or less a safety factor," Given said.
Councilman-at-Large Joe Koziura suggested amending the moratorium until the state comes up with its rulings, in case the state regulations come out in less than a year.
"When you grow this stuff, you might have jobs and things, it's not necessarily anything to do with smoking stuff," Koziura said. "It could be beneficial employment."
Mayor Chase Ritenauer agreed and said Lorain should consider allowing the medical marijuana growth once the regulations are set.
Ritenauer said he did not support an all-out ban on the drug.
Lorain's legislation also allows Council to rescind it within 12 months, the mayor said.
Once there are state rules, Lorain also should consider its zoning to determine where the facilities could go, he said.
Lorain join a host of Ohio communities that already have passed moratoriums on growing medical marijuana.
State Rep. Dan Ramos, D-Lorain, supported the state legislation to allow medical marijuana.
Ramos was a ranking member of the Select Committee on Medical Marijuana and was a founding member of the Medical Marijuana Task Force, a group that helped draft Ohio's legislation.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lorain Puts Hold On Medical Marijuana
Author: Richard Payerchin
Contact: 440-245-6901
Photo Credit: Jennifer Peltz
Website: The Morning Journal
On Dec. 6, Lorain City Council approved a 12-month moratorium on any building permits or certificates of occupancy for anyone seeking to distribute medical marijuana.
The time is needed for Lorain to create its own rules and regulations on marijuana establishments, while waiting for state rules out of Columbus.
Ohio's marijuana legislation, known as House Bill 523, became effective Sept. 8. The state has established a program to help the public learn about new rules governing the drug.
Lorain's moratorium legislation was based on what is happening in other communities and conversations with the Police Department, said city Safety-Service Director Dan Given.
The city administration wanted a moratorium to make sure the state puts rules in place and everyone understands them, Given said.
Once the rules are out, the administration also will discuss enforcement with the Police Department, he said.
"More or less a safety factor," Given said.
Councilman-at-Large Joe Koziura suggested amending the moratorium until the state comes up with its rulings, in case the state regulations come out in less than a year.
"When you grow this stuff, you might have jobs and things, it's not necessarily anything to do with smoking stuff," Koziura said. "It could be beneficial employment."
Mayor Chase Ritenauer agreed and said Lorain should consider allowing the medical marijuana growth once the regulations are set.
Ritenauer said he did not support an all-out ban on the drug.
Lorain's legislation also allows Council to rescind it within 12 months, the mayor said.
Once there are state rules, Lorain also should consider its zoning to determine where the facilities could go, he said.
Lorain join a host of Ohio communities that already have passed moratoriums on growing medical marijuana.
State Rep. Dan Ramos, D-Lorain, supported the state legislation to allow medical marijuana.
Ramos was a ranking member of the Select Committee on Medical Marijuana and was a founding member of the Medical Marijuana Task Force, a group that helped draft Ohio's legislation.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lorain Puts Hold On Medical Marijuana
Author: Richard Payerchin
Contact: 440-245-6901
Photo Credit: Jennifer Peltz
Website: The Morning Journal
