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A group of pastors express opposition to marijuana growing facilities in Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN
A group of pastors says it “strongly opposes any marijuana-growing facilities in the city.
About nine pastors said at a Monday news conference outside city hall that the state’s decision to legalize medical marijuana will eventually lead to the legalization of recreational marijuana, and that will have devastating results for Youngstown.
“We have a great concern [medical marijuana] is leading to recreational marijuana,” said the Rev. Al Yanno, pastor of Metro Assembly of God on South Avenue.
City council will consider a resolution at its Wednesday meeting expressing its support for the location of medical marijuana cultivation facilities in Youngstown.
“We support legal medical marijuana and see it as a way to grow the city economically,” said Mayor John A. McNally. “I appreciate the pastors’ viewpoints. We need jobs in this area and this is an opportunity to support jobs with the cultivation of medical marijuana.”
As for medical marijuana leading to the legalization of recreational marijuana, McNally said that is up to the state.
The Rev. Gary Frost of the Mission America Coalition said the pastors are “disappointed” that McNally and city council have embraced marijuana.
City council heard May 15 from five groups wanting to grow medical marijuana in Youngstown. The meeting was informational.
The state will grant licenses, probably in September, to 24 growers statewide.
The state law permits 12 Level 1 growers for up to 25,000 square feet of growing space with a potential expansion up to 75,000 square feet, and 12 Level 2 growers to cultivate up to 3,000 square feet. Level 1 groups must submit applications to the state by June 30, and Level 2 groups have until June 16.
The medical marijuana will be made available to purchase by those with 21 different medical conditions by September 2018.