43
Poland Village tables talk of medical marijuana, for now
By Bruce Walton
POLAND
Village council decided to table discussion of the possible prohibition of medicinal marijuana in the village.
The village plans to take a closer look at the idea of prohibiting the sale, cultivation, processing and retail dispensing of medical marijuana.
Councilman Bill Dunnavant said he already has received numerous phone calls from concerned residents about what’s going to happen.
“Since the Ohio state law was passed, many municipalities have passed laws prohibiting that, and we’ve had some inquiries about doing the same,” Dunnavant said.
Ohio House Bill 523, which legalized medical marijuana statewide, took effect last September. The medical-marijuana program is set to be fully operational by September 2018. In the meantime, the law allows Ohioans with certain medical conditions to obtain marijuana from other states, such as Michigan.
Councilwoman Linda Srnec suggested council take more time to consider the facts before prohibiting it.
“I worked at a hospital many years as a lab [technician], and I actually saw how it helped some people,” Srnec said. “So I’m not against it, but I’m not sure if we want it in the town, though.”
Moving forward, village Solicitor Jay Macejko said he will learn more about the village’s legal rights in the matter. Macejko said he plans to look into whether the village should use a prohibition or a moratorium. A moratorium is more temporary than prohibition, he explained.
Council may refer the matter to the planning committee and/or seek public input.
Other local governments in the Mahoning Valley, including Youngstown, and Hubbard and Austintown townships, already have started discussions on either allowing or prohibiting medical marijuana.
In other business, council approved an ordinance as an emergency to eliminate duplication and inconsistencies between the village zoning and housing laws.