Dover council overrides mayoral veto, adopts four marijuana-related ordinances

DOVER — The Dover City Council on Jan. 2 voted 8-1 to reaffirm its earlier approval of four ordinances that would allow and regulate marijuana retail, cultivation, testing and related zoning within the city after Mayor Robin R. Christensen issued a written veto.

The ordinances at issue were listed by council as 2024-29, 2024-30 (as amended), 2024-20 and 2024-25. Councilman Lewis moved to reaffirm the council’s prior action; the motion was seconded by Dr. Sudler and passed on a roll call of 8 yes, 1 no, overruling the mayor’s veto and meeting the two-thirds threshold the council cites for an override.

The mayor read a written veto into the record before debate, citing public-safety concerns and the absence of setback protections for schools, hospitals, clinics and religious organizations. "I hereby veto ordinances 20 24 dash 24, 20 24 dash 25, 20 24 dash 29, 20 24 dash 30 for the above stated reasons," Mayor Robin R. Christensen said in the statement. The mayor also told council that, under the state law…