The Village of Grand Rapids Council voted to begin the process of having legislation drafted for a moratorium on sales of marijuana within village limits.
Grand Rapids joins nearby communities such as Whitehouse, Perrysburg, and Napoleon.
According to WTOL, Whitehouse will be putting the issue on the ballot to gauge if residents are open to allowing growers to come into the area. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the Perrysburg moratorium was enacted on March 7, 2024, and will end on December 3, 2024. Napoleon’s moratorium was enacted on January 1, 2024, and has been extended until the end of the year.
December 7, 2023 marked the date when possession and personal cultivation of cannabis became legal in the State of Ohio. Licensed sales started August 6, 2024.
During the Grand Rapids Village Council meeting held on Monday, August 12, Councilmember Louise Estep made a motion to have legislation drafted for a moratorium, a temporary ban.
Councilmember Lynn Sylvain asked for further explanation. Estep stated this would give the village more time to do some research on further legislation.
Mayor John Berry, Councilmember Rick Tolles, and Councilmember Rachel Smith agreed, stating more information is needed.
“It’s too early, anybody can come into town and get approved,” stated Estep. “If we don’t do anything now, we can’t stop it.
Estep later clarified in a written statement, “There will be more discussion. This was to have the Solicitor draft an ordinance for a moratorium on the sale of marijuana. Once presented, there will be three readings.”
The motion to begin writing legislation passed almost unanimously, with Councilmember Sylvain voting no.
You can view the entire meeting at the following link: Video: https://www.facebook.com/100002368881150/videos/871184064860859/
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