The Okanogan County Board of Commissioners voted to extend a moratorium on new cannabis operations for an additional six months, citing the need for more time to complete an economic-impact study and draft potential zoning and code changes.

Director Palmer of the county planning department told the board staff recommends a six-month extension of ordinance 2025-8 to allow time to finish the study, interview candidates and craft regulatory language. The extension was presented during a public hearing that planning staff said was advertised as required by law.

Commissioners said the extra time will be used to review the impact study and prepare revisions to the county code and zoning regulations so the board can make a decision at the end of the extension. One commissioner said the board will need to either take action or take no action at that next meeting because the county cannot continue a moratorium indefinitely beyond the legal maximum.

A motion to approve ordinance 2025-8, extending the moratorium for six months, was moved and seconded on the record; commissioners voted in favor. Planning staff said they will return with maps, the impact statements and possible code revisions in roughly six months so the board can consider concrete changes.

The board emphasized it wants staff to prepare draft ordinance language and alternatives for that next decision point so commissioners will not be asked to extend again without proposed regulatory text.

The hearing included no public testimony on the record after staff presentation; the board closed the hearing before taking the motion.