Tuesday, November 28th, 2023
St. Henry bans retail, medical cannabis dispensaries
By Abigail Miller
ST. HENRY - Village councilors on Monday evening unanimously voted to prohibit cannabis retail and medical marijuana dispensaries in St. Henry.
Councilors passed the ordinance as an emergency measure after suspending the rules requiring three public readings.
Per ordinance language, adult use cannabis operations and medical marijuana cultivators, processors and retail dispensaries within the corporation limits will be prohibited starting Jan. 1.
Mayor Steve Koesters said the legislation is similar to a previous ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries, with modifications.
As of the Nov. 7 general election, Ohio is the 24th state to legalize adult-use sale, purchase and possession of marijuana for citizens 21 and older.
The voter-driven initiative allows adults to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams (about a half-ounce) of extract, and to grow up to six plants per individual through a government program.
It allows municipalities the option to prohibit dispensaries within corporation limits.
St. Henry Police Chief Michael Link said though councilors are banning dispensaries, they are not banning marijuana usage.
"We're banning the selling of it in our neighborhoods, especially since we're a small community and everything is close to the school," he said. "We wouldn't want it sold next to the school or anywhere like that."
The police department does not want the school subjected to further vices, he added.
The new state law takes effect Dec. 7, and it will take nine months for regulations to be created and placed into Ohio Revised Code.
In other business, councilors heard first reading of an ordinance establishing certain positions and a pay schedule for hourly and salaried village employees.
Village administrator Stan Sutter said the change relates to part-time police officers. If approved, their pay would climb from $16.50 to $25.85 an hour beginning Jan. 1.
Lastly, Sutter reminded councilors that the final branch pick up of the year isFriday and the last leaf pick up is Dec. 18.
Village council meets next at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 in council chambers at 121 W. Washington St.
