City Council dealt with several issues tonight at their regular meeting regarding city regulations on the sale of recreational and medicinal marijuana. There were three distinct topics:
- Zoning including references to religious institutions
- Allowing medicinal and recreational sales under the same roof
- Lifting the moratorium
Ferndale Police Chief Michael Knapp spoke to the City Council about the lack of facts surrounding marijuana use and questioned the rationale for increasing access in the face of that. Knapp noted that in 2015, there were 19 arrests at the high school for marijuana possession. In just the first month of 2016, there have been 16, nearly as many.
Citizens spoke during the public comments about their personal experiences with marijuana and its medicinal benefits as well as those who applauded or disagreed with Chief Knapp’s comments.
Council voted to approve 5-2 to allow medical and recreational marijuana sales by the same business.
Click for more information
Click for more informationCouncil also voted 5-2 to allow retail sales only in areas zoned as “General Business.”
Council then voted 4-3 to increase the number of allowed retail stores from 1 to 2. But Mayor Mutchler stated he would exercise his right to veto the council vote. Councilmember Taylor asked if the Mayor had such a right. The meeting was stopped for a few minutes while the city attorney researched applicable city and state code.
Upon returning to the meeting, the city attorney confirmed the right is there but the Mayor will need to refuse to sign the ordinance when it is presented to him after the meeting and provide reasons why. Councilmember Watson expressed her concern about the Mayor making the decision to override the council. After further discussion, the Mayor stated he would not exercise his veto given the lack of support he was hearing.
Council voted 6-1 to lift the moratorium on accepting retail marijuana license applications.