The existing ordinance making its way through Russells Point Village Council is to put a 180-day moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries within the village, not to prohibit them altogether.
Incorrect information in a Tuesday article and accompanying headline in the Examiner erroneously categorized the current position of the village council regarding any future medical marijuana businesses inside the corporation limits.
An ordinance that would have prohibited medical marijuana cultivation or sale in the village failed a third-and-final reading of council on Feb. 20.
Following discussion, council agreed to take up the current ordinance that imposes a moratorium on medical marijuana businesses that is not to exceed 180 days, and is subject to any future council action.
“I am the one that introduced the legislation for a moratorium. I believe this very important issue deserved time for research and examination prior to the village making a permanent decision,” Mayor Robin Reames wrote in an email explaining the change.
Council and the village planning commission require additional time to consider all, “applicable codes statewide and within the village in order to formulate a local response,” to the medical marijuana bill that passed the Ohio General Assembly and became law Sept. 8, 2016.
The existing ordinance passed a first reading Feb. 20, a second reading March 5 and is expected to get a third-and-final reading at council’s next meeting March 19.