Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Blue Ash is looking to restrict medical marijuana businesses, but city council members have differing opinions on the issue.
"From a local land use perspective, it is more like a liquor license. They are given a permit by someone else, we can just determine where they do or don't operate," City Manager David Waltz said.
An Ohio House bill allowing the licensing, cultivation and dispensing of medical marijuana passed in June, but the legislation does not go into effect until September 2017. The zoning for dispensaries was left to the cities, but they cannot be within 1,000 feet of a school, church, public library, public park or public playground. Cultivators or processors must be 500 feet away.
Assistant City Manager Kelly Harrington said cultivators and processors would be allowed in Blue Ash's light manufacturing district, which is mostly the industrial and technological office parks north of Cooper Road, with the city's current zoning code.
Dispensaries would be allowed within any business district as long as they meet the state requirements.
Harrington said the city has three options when it comes to number of facilities that could locate in the city.
"We could certainly just leave it up to the private sector and the market to dedicate where these things locate. We could limit the number and locations. Or we could eliminate all marijuana business entirely," Harrington said.
Councilman Rob Ryan said he does not want any restrictions for medical marijuana.
"This is not a frivolous kind of endeavor and I think the public is quiet aware of it and are supportive of it throughout Ohio," Ryan said.
Ryan said the city should be aware of what is coming but not create restrictions against it.
"The general consensus is that people want access. That is a reasonable thing but there is a concern. There's a problem with what it looks like and what is beside it," Vice Mayor Tom Adamec said.
Mayor Lee Czerwonka said he is concerned a medical marijuana dispensaries would harm the success of its surrounding retail businesses. Councilman Robert Buckman said he was for not allowing them in the city at all.
Councilwoman Stephanie Stoller and Councilman Marc Sirkin both said they were in favor of having them, but with restrictions.
"I am interested in some kind of regulation in the design of the retail building. We are talking about medical and I don't see any reason why we can't have one retail and one cultivation facility," Stoller said.
Councilman Pramod Jhaveri said he is also in favor of limiting the number of dispensaries or cultivators.
"Over the next few months we need to reflect and see if we want to do anything," Waltz said, adding if the city agrees to create legislation is should be approved during the summer so it goes into effect before September.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Blue Ash Council Split On Marijuana Regulation
Author: Marika Lee
Contact: 513-768-8600
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Cincinnati.com
"From a local land use perspective, it is more like a liquor license. They are given a permit by someone else, we can just determine where they do or don't operate," City Manager David Waltz said.
An Ohio House bill allowing the licensing, cultivation and dispensing of medical marijuana passed in June, but the legislation does not go into effect until September 2017. The zoning for dispensaries was left to the cities, but they cannot be within 1,000 feet of a school, church, public library, public park or public playground. Cultivators or processors must be 500 feet away.
Assistant City Manager Kelly Harrington said cultivators and processors would be allowed in Blue Ash's light manufacturing district, which is mostly the industrial and technological office parks north of Cooper Road, with the city's current zoning code.
Dispensaries would be allowed within any business district as long as they meet the state requirements.
Harrington said the city has three options when it comes to number of facilities that could locate in the city.
"We could certainly just leave it up to the private sector and the market to dedicate where these things locate. We could limit the number and locations. Or we could eliminate all marijuana business entirely," Harrington said.
Councilman Rob Ryan said he does not want any restrictions for medical marijuana.
"This is not a frivolous kind of endeavor and I think the public is quiet aware of it and are supportive of it throughout Ohio," Ryan said.
Ryan said the city should be aware of what is coming but not create restrictions against it.
"The general consensus is that people want access. That is a reasonable thing but there is a concern. There's a problem with what it looks like and what is beside it," Vice Mayor Tom Adamec said.
Mayor Lee Czerwonka said he is concerned a medical marijuana dispensaries would harm the success of its surrounding retail businesses. Councilman Robert Buckman said he was for not allowing them in the city at all.
Councilwoman Stephanie Stoller and Councilman Marc Sirkin both said they were in favor of having them, but with restrictions.
"I am interested in some kind of regulation in the design of the retail building. We are talking about medical and I don't see any reason why we can't have one retail and one cultivation facility," Stoller said.
Councilman Pramod Jhaveri said he is also in favor of limiting the number of dispensaries or cultivators.
"Over the next few months we need to reflect and see if we want to do anything," Waltz said, adding if the city agrees to create legislation is should be approved during the summer so it goes into effect before September.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Blue Ash Council Split On Marijuana Regulation
Author: Marika Lee
Contact: 513-768-8600
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Cincinnati.com
