Kirtland and Painesville Township have joined the list of communities implementing marijuana-related moratoriums following the passage of Ohio Issue 2 on Nov. 7.
The similarly-worded resolutions prevent officials in both communities from issuing or processing permits for adult-use marijuana retail dispensaries. The moratoriums will expire no later than July 31, 2024, though either community can vote to end its moratorium earlier.
Kirtland City Council approved a moratorium by a 6-0 vote on Dec. 18, with Councilman Ron Fenstermaker absent. Painesville Township trustees approved a moratorium unanimously on the morning of Dec. 19.
Each resolution stated that the communities “intend to adopt legislation that provides for the orderly implementation of adult-use cannabis…consistent with state laws and regulations.”
The moratoriums will allow each community to amend current legislation or “prepare regulations which may be necessary and to determine where and whether to allow, limit or prohibit retail dispensaries,” they added.
Additionally, the resolutions mentioned that the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Cannabis Control has nine months to establish regulations for the use of marijuana.
The Commerce Department’s medical marijuana dispensary map lists no medical dispensaries in Kirtland and one in Painesville Township. Township officials said that the moratorium would not prevent that dispensary from selling recreational marijuana if it is allowed to…