With the term medical marijuana buzzing around, Avon Lake City Councils safety committee moved along a moratorium to a collective committee meeting during its meeting Aug. 24.
A number of communities are doing this to allow for the dust to settle, said Safety Committee Chair David Kos, adding that they want to see how everything will land in place and how it will take effect.
Mayor Greg Zilka agreed with Kos that a lot of communities are taking action to give them some breathing room.
Council President Martin ODonnell said they need to take a good look at the law, because its not all the way put together at the state level.
Well have the opportunity to study it and review it, he said. Well have the chance to analyze and take our time with it.
Kos said the moratorium will be for 180 days and will be passed on first reading when it reaches City Council.
The law, which was signed by Gov. John Kasich in June, lets people use the drug in vapor form for health conditions that are chronic, but bars patients from smoking marijuana or growing it at home. A panel will put together the rules and regulations which will consist of the Ohio Department of Commerce, state Medical Board and Board of Pharmacy.
Avon Lake isnt the only community looking at this. The city of North Olmsted heard a first reading Aug. 16 of a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana, so it can review the law that will go into effect Sept. 8. The moratorium would be set on the granting of building permits or certificates of occupancy for any structure to let it cultivate, process or sell medical marijuana.
North Olmsteds administration, City Council and the citys Planning and Design Commission would look at all state statutes, criminal codes and the citys zoning codes before deciding what it wants to do.
Sheffield Village Council discussed a moratorium as well and will talk more about it during Councils Sept. 12 meeting.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Avon Lake Moving For Medical Marijuana Moratorium
Author: Kaylee Remington
Contact: 440-245-6901
Photo Credit: Robert F. Bukaty
Website: The Morning Journal
