ANNA — Anna Village Council discussed the possibility of allowing a marijuana dispensaries within the village limits at their Aug. 22 meeting, resulting in no decision.
Council member Richard Eshleman said the economic impact may be worth allowing dispensaries, considering the location along interstate 75 and the negative stance other local villages have taken on the issue.
Village solicitor Aaron Lowe advised that Botkins had passed an ordinance prohibiting marijuana dispensaries, and that he believed the overlap of state and federal laws would create an issue for law enforcement.
“Inconsistent obligations are a problem for law enforcement,” he said. “It’s illegal under federal, legal under state. My opinion is to just prohibit it.”
Medical marijuana was legalized in Ohio on Sept. 8, 2016, with valid state ID cards to be issued before Sept. 2018. Rules for dispensaries will become final on Sept. 8 of this year.
Eshleman suggested the board pass a 6 or 9 month long moratorium on dispensaries, to allow them time to see how dispensary rules shake out and allow the council time to weigh both sides of the debate.
“It’s pretty tightly regulated,” Lowe said. “I wouldn’t think it would be disastrous.”
“It gives us something to think about,” Eshleman said.
The council passed an ordinance for a sidewalk assessment levy. This effects 12 property owners. Eight property owners have paid for their sidewalks and three have installed their sidewalks by themselves.
The council read an ordinance that, if passed, will remove two stop signs. The signs on Mill Street at the Millette Street and on Cherry Lane at Apple Street will be removed.
A resolution for authorizing tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor was also read for the first time.
Mayor Mark Pulfer said in his report that notices have been given to 10 or 12 property owners to bring their pools into compliance with the rule for having a 6-foot fence with controllable access around their pools.
A brief discussion about the fiberglass animals at the public park, which have been vandalized a few times, resulted in a decision to move them further from the playground.
The next Village of Anna Council meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m.
credit:sidneydailynews.com
