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Belpre council discusses pot issue

BELPRE — With the state of Ohio approving medical marijuana legislation earlier this year, Belpre city officials want to stay informed and aware of the issue and how it may impact their city.

In June, Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 523 from the Ohio General Assembly which authorized the use of marijuana for medical purposes and established a medical marijuana control program.

HB 523 includes language that authorizes municipal legislative bodies to adopt restrictions under the law, including the prohibition of cultivators, processors or retail dispensaries within those municipal corporations.

Councilwoman Susan Abdella, chair of Belpre City Council’s finance/audit committee, held a discussion on the medical marijuana issue during a committee meeting prior to Monday’s council meeting.

Abdella said the state of Ohio has started work to prepare regulations and requirements that will govern issues such as acceptable production, preparation and uses for medical marijuana and related products. Ohio officials have also started compiling a list of medical conditions that would qualify for use under the new law, she said.

The regulations regarding medical marijuana are not expected to be finalized before 2018, she said. A lot of criteria and regulatory issues are still being worked out at the state level, Abdella said.

Thoughts expressed during Monday’s meeting by city officials and council members ranged from firm opposition to medical marijuana as a possible gateway to criminal use to qualified interest in obtaining more information about proposed proper and regulated medical uses. All were interested in obtaining more information on the pros and cons of the issue.

Council president Will Neff said two years is a long time in the regulatory preparation process, especially for something new like the medical marijuana issue. From past observations, he said, he expects to see many changes occur before the final regulations are put in place by the state of Ohio.

City Law Director Tom Webster provided a sample ordinance based on the municipal prohibition option and said he had other sample ordinances and resolutions related to the medical marijuana issue that city officials can review and discuss as they wish.

“I am glad we’re talking about this. I’m glad we’re being proactive and not reactive,” Abdella said, adding she supports getting additional information on all aspects of the issue, both pros and cons.

She will continue to monitor the issues and actions taken by the state of Ohio and keep council updated, Abdella said.

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