Kettering’s moratorium extension is for an additional 12 months, ending May 31, 2018. Kettering City Manager Mark Schweiterman said the year-long extension was to allow for city officials enough time to respond to the rules and regulations adopted by Ohio in September for cultivation and dispensary sites.
“It gives us time to make some decisions,” Schweiterman said.
The emergency ordinance, if passed, could be overruled by another ordinance before next May if Kettering chooses to do so. Council has the ability to vote, at any time, to take action on the matter, either for or against.
“If we’re ready sooner than that, we’ll take action sooner than that,” Schweiterman said.
Kettering council hasn’t shown which way it is leaning—whether in support or opposition of cultivation and dispensing sites within the city.
“They’re not ready to make a decision one way or the other. They’re waiting until all the state’s regulations are [passed],” Schweiterman said. “We’re waiting until the final resolution in September from the state before we take any action.”
In August, city council passed an ordinance imposing a nine-month moratorium to “research the effects of these activities and to determine potential changes to the city’s codified ordinances if medical marijuana is allowed, limited or prohibited in the city,” according to an emergency ordinance filed by the city.
RELATED: Butler Twp. places moratorium on medical marijuana
Other municipalities, like Butler Twp. Miamisburg and Centerville, have taken similar approaches by imposing temporary bans on the cultivation, processing and retail dispensing of medical marijuana. Others, like Oakwood and Troy, have voted to ban it altogether.
Kylie Olden, a Kettering resident, said she sees a benefit to the city extending the moratorium.
“I think the temporary ban could be beneficial because it allows the city time to study the potential impacts of marijuana distributors, including whether they should be kept at arm’s length from neighborhoods, churches and schools.”
Olden, 23, says she also sees issues with how cities have reacted to Ohio allowing medical marijuana use and cultivation.
“Citizens of Ohio have spoken in making medical marijuana legal but seems that we will be burdened with government officials acting to try to control sellers and dispensaries in an attempt to prevent it,” Olden said.
The ordinance will be presented in a first reading 7:30p.m. Tuesday at the city council meeting.
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