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AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A MORATORIUM OF ONE YEAR ON THE ISSUANCE AND PROCESSING OF ANY PERMITS ALLOWING RETAIL DISPENSARIES, CULTIVATORS. OR PROCESSORS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA WITHIN THE CITY OF GROVEPORT
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WHEREAS, Pursuant to O.R.C. 3796, the cultivating, processing, and dispensing of medical marijuana in the State of Ohio is now permitted; and,
WHEREAS, for the purposes of this Ordinance, the definitions of “cultivators”, “processors”, and “retail dispensaries” are given the same definitions as those found in Section 3796.01 of the Ohio Revised Code; and,
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 3796.29 authorizes a municipality to limit the number of, or entirely prohibit, cultivators, processors, or retail dispensaries licensed under Ohio Revised Code Section 3796.29 in the City of Groveport; and,
WHEREAS, City Council seeks time to study whether to limit or entirely prohibit the cultivation, processing and/or retail dispensing of medical marijuana; or, alternatively, to develop and implement regulations regarding the possible location and operation of medical marijuana-related businesses within the City of Groveport, including medical marijuana-related businesses for retail dispensaries, cultivators, and processors; and,
WHEREAS, City staff will require additional time to review and make recommendations on zoning prohibitions and/or limitations of medical marijuana so that any necessary regulations conform to goals of the City of Groveport and help insure the public peace, health, safety and welfare of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, a moratorium of one year on the granting of permits for medical marijuana-related businesses in the City of Groveport will allow City Council time to accomplish the City’s goals and help ensure the public peace, health, safety and welfare of its citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVEPORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO, A MAJORITY OF ITS MEMBERS CONCURRING:
Section 1: That Council hereby imposes a moratorium of one year on the issuance and processing of permits for cultivators, processors, or retail dispensaries of medical marijuana. The purpose of this moratorium is so that City staff may study the new law and the related issues and then determine whether to limit or entirely prohibit cultivators, processors, and retail dispensaries in the City of Groveport and to prepare any necessary, related regulations.
Section 2: That Council seeks to limit the duration of the moratorium to instruct the Mayor and City staff to immediately undertake a review of the new law and related issues; City staff will then recommend new regulations regarding the cultivation, processing and retail dispensing of medical marijuana.
Section 3: That Council hereby directs and orders that no permits for cultivators, processors, or retail dispensaries of medical marijuana shall be issued or processed by the City of Groveport during the one-year moratorium.
Section 4: That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which are made a part hereof, this Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.
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Lance Westcamp, Mayor
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Ruthanne Sargus Ross, Clerk of Council
Approved as to form:
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Kevin C. Shannon, Law Director