Editor's Note: This story has been modified to correct the length of the moratorium.

The City of Youngstown is considering imposing a moratorium on the sale of recreational marijuana in the city.

According to a First Ward Councilman Julius Oliver the city is considering the prohibition of recreational marijuana operations in the city until at least May of 2026.

The draft legislation states that this moratorium would give city leaders additional time to research the benefits and consequences of recreational marijuana operations in the city and determine whether or not they should be limited or entirely prohibited.

City council members said they do not want the city to become oversaturated with recreational cannabis facilities. They want to first examine how people in the city react to having only one.

Youngstown's only medical marijuana dispensary, Leaf Relief on Market Street has been open for a few years. Council members said that company could be the only one in operation if the business applies for a permit.

If the proposed legislation is enacted, distributors will be prohibited from operating in Youngstown until at least May of 2026 and the city will not be allowed to issue any zoning permits to those looking to sell recreational marijuana until the end of the moratorium.

If passed, Youngstown will join neighboring communities such as Austintown and Boardman who have recently enacted moratoriums or outright bans on the sale of recreational marijuana.

Other communities such as Lordstown and Johnston Township in Trumbull County have also had discussions about bans on recreational marijuana.