CIRCLEVILLE, OH — Circleville City Judicial held a significant meeting on July 29, 2024, to discuss and implement a 12-month moratorium on the issuance of permits for new Marijuana dispensaries within the city.
The meeting, led by Chair Tom Kilitzka and supported by Sheri Theis and John Moats, focused on a crucial ordinance aimed at pausing all new dispensary permits. The moratorium is intended to give the city time to evaluate evolving state guidelines, conduct thorough research, and gather public input on the future of dispensary operations in Circleville.
Currently, the State of Ohio is moving closer to launching its adult-use marijuana market, regulators have distributed supplemental guidance on the rules for opening day events, advertising, and more. Voters passed recreational marijuana last year, and are still waiting for full laws and rules surrounding the purchase of marijuana.
City Planner Hannah Wynne presented the ordinance, explaining that the 12-month pause would allow the state to finalize its regulatory framework, while also providing Circleville with the opportunity to consider its own regulations. The ordinance could lead to various outcomes, including limiting the number of dispensaries, imposing licensing fees, or implementing a full ban, depending on the results of further research and public hearings.
Wynne highlighted that this pause is a proactive measure, given the rapidly changing landscape of state regulations regarding dispensaries. “This moratorium gives us the necessary time to understand state directives better and make informed decisions about how best to regulate dispensaries in our city,” She said.
The council members expressed strong support for the ordinance, agreeing that a pause was prudent until more clarity was provided by the state. Council Members emphasized the importance of waiting for definitive state guidelines to avoid potential regulatory conflicts.
Following the discussion, a motion was made to adopt the ordinance. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously by the members.
With the ordinance approved, it will now go to the Circleville Council for review and possible passage.
