Prohibition on recreational marijuana in Lordstown no 'emergency'
Emergency legislation to keep legal recreational marijuana out of Lordstown isn't enough of an emergency to enact right away.
The agenda for Monday night's Village Council meeting included an item designated as an "emergency" ordinance that would ban the cultivation, distribution, processing, and sale of recreational marijuana, as well as adult use of cannabis within the village.
Council members discussed the ordinance but decided to schedule another reading on it. The ordinance will appear again on the next meeting's agenda.
Issue 2, approved by voters last year, legalizes recreational marijuana in Ohio. However, the amendment includes a provision under which localities can enact ordinances prohibiting the operation of adult-use businesses.
Communities may not prohibit the operation of existing medical cannabis operators that are already located within their jurisdiction.
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law reported that as of March 31, 47 Ohio communities, including Salem and Lisbon, have enacted moratoriums on recreational marijuana. Last month, Austintown Township Trustees enacted a pot moratorium.