Fremont – Fremont City Council has approved a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana, joining other cities across the state in putting the brakes on businesses that wish to dispense the drug in Ohio cities.
Council member Kathy Stout said the city is waiting for the state to get its act together and provide specific details on licensing and how much it will cost for business owners.
“But they don’t even have their ducks in a row,” Stout said.
Stout said Fremont followed the lead of other cities in approving the moratorium.
A number of Ohio municipalities have taken steps to ban marijuana-related businesses since House Bill 523 passed in June, allowing businesses to cultivate, process and sell the drug for medical use under certain regulations. But while the law became effective Sept. 8, it will be some time before Ohioans can buy medical marijuana in the state.
House Bill 523 only created a framework, the rest of the details – including how to become a registered and licensed dispensary and how much it will cost – still are being determined.
Some restrictions already are in place for retail dispensaries, which are prohibited from being located within 500 feet of schools, churches and public libraries, playgrounds and parks. Cities and townships can adopt further regulations to limit the number of dispensaries or ban them altogether.
Council member Denny Otte said he was not aware of anyone who had approached the city with an interest in opening a medical marijuana dispensary or business.
Otte said the city could revisit the moratorium in less than a year, or extend it if circumstances warrant it.
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Full Article: Council Passes Medical Marijuana Moratorium
Author: Daniel Carson
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