Westerville puts recreational marijuana sales on pause, as council reviews statewide rules

Jack Wolf, Columbus Dispatch

Westerville cannabis enthusiasts seeking out product in the city will have to wait a little longer.

In a decisive move on Tuesday night, the Westerville City Council voted to impose a moratorium on the sale of recreational cannabis within city limits. The ordinance, which passed with a 6-1 vote, aims to provide the city with a crucial period to study and develop a comprehensive plan for cannabis-related operations.

The moratorium will last until Jan. 7, during which time city staff will gather data, monitor state-level developments, and draft recommendations on how to integrate or regulate cannabis sales in Westerville. This pause allows the city to align its local policies with state regulations and community expectations.

Council discussed several key points during the meeting:

  • Study period: The temporary halt will give city staff time to research and address the questions raised by council members and the public. This includes figuring out where dispensaries could be located and understanding how cannabis businesses might affect the community.

  • State monitoring: The city will keep a close eye on what the Ohio General Assembly and the Division of Cannabis Control are doing. There are six proposed bills that could change the laws approved by voters, affecting how recreational marijuana is managed across the state.

  • Public input and zoning considerations: The council stressed the need for public input and careful consideration of zoning rules. Currently, the city's zoning laws do not allow marijuana businesses, so a thorough review and possible changes are needed.

  • No impact on personal use: The moratorium does not affect people's rights to use, possess, or grow recreational marijuana at home. It only delays the opening of commercial cannabis businesses until clear rules are in place.

Some members of council viewed the moratorium as a necessary step to ensure informed decision-making, while others raised concerns about potential delays in implementing the voters' will.

The council acknowledged the need to balance public opinion with responsible governance.

Vice Mayor Coutanya Coombs highlighted that the moratorium provides clarity in an uncertain environment, allowing the city to prepare adequately for the integration of cannabis businesses.

"If we're unsure what it is the legislators are going to do, I think it's best for us to sit back, analyze the situation and then move forward with an informed decision." Coombs said.

Council member Aaron Glasgow agreed, acknowledging the practical challenges, such as zoning and potential changes in state regulations, that necessitate this pause.

Mayor Kenneth Wright, the sole dissenting vote, expressed concern that the moratorium might be perceived as a delay tactic, emphasizing the need to respect the will of the voters who approved recreational cannabis.

"Given that we voted on this last November and it's June already, it seems to me that this is another example of kicking the can down the road." Wright said, speaking on the city's already delayed response to the issue.

"I hope we use this time effectively as Team Westerville to come up with a roadmap that would ultimately allow for these businesses to exist here," council member Megan Reamsnyder said. "I am supportive of the will of the voters and so I believe this is something we should take seriously."

Other council members agreed, wanting to avoid repeating the events of 2017, when the city considered medical cannabis. Following the original moratorium in 2017, council extended it and eventually passed an ordinance that banned medical marijuana dispensaries in Westerville.

Looking ahead this time however, the city plans to be more proactive and revisit the issue in September, following the Division of Cannabis Control's expected regulatory updates. This work session will help shape the roadmap for integrating recreational cannabis sales, ensuring that Westerville's approach is both informed and deliberate.

For now, the moratorium stands as a strategic measure, allowing Westerville to navigate the complexities of recreational cannabis with caution and foresight.

Jewolf@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Westerville pauses recreational marijuana sales, reviewing state rules

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