State guideline drafts now permit 18 cultivation sites and 40 retail dispensaries. That translates into roughly one cultivation site for every five counties and less than one retail site for every two counties.
“Whatever they do, it will be legal,” said Police Chief Michael Bruck. “Once you get it, it’s hard to get rid of it … You may want to get ahead of this.”
If Carlisle does not have a ban in place, medical marijuana businesses may be attracted to the village because of the low rent for storefronts, Bruck said. Someone may purchase land now but may have a future cultivating facility or dispensary in mind, he said.
“I don’t think we want them in our business park,” said Mayor Randy Winkler.
Councilman Brad McIntosh agreed, saying “we don’t want to be late to the game.”
In addition, council was also asked to consider possible legislation prohibiting sex clubs.
RELATED: West Chester, Liberty Twp. ban sexual encounter businesses
The village plans a nine-month moratorium on sexual encounter establishments, at which time they are expected to ban the businesses altogether.
It was also suggested that council strengthen its sexual oriented business ordinance to prevent adult entertainment massage parlors from opening.
These businesses are often fronts for prostitution and human trafficking, said Bruck, a former Middletown police chief.
“They don’t have a hard time finding clients,” Bruck said.
Ordinances in the city of Mason have been successful at keeping out such businesses, Bruck said.
“It makes it easy to control or to get rid of it,” he said.
This week, Monroe City Council approved banning these types of businesses.
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