Wilmington council refers ordinance to pause new retail marijuana store licenses to health committee

Councilmember Hackett introduced an ordinance Tuesday to temporarily suspend issuance of business licenses for retail marijuana stores in Wilmington, and the council referred the proposal to its Health, Environmental, Aging and Disabilities Committee for further review.

The move came during the legislative portion of the City Council meeting on Feb. 20, 2025, after Hackett read Ordinance 25-004 aloud and formally moved that the ordinance receive its first and second readings and be referred to committee.

The referral places the ordinance into committee for study and discussion before any final vote by the full council. President Troopy Congo presided over the readings and acknowledged the motion. No recorded roll-call vote with named tallies was made during the floor action; council approved the procedural motion by voice and the ordinance was sent to committee.

Why it matters: A temporary suspension of retail marijuana licensing would halt new retail applicants while the committee evaluates health, neighborhood or regulatory impacts. The council’s referral means the body has not adopted the suspension; it has only signaled it wants more committee-level review.

Meeting business and other formal actions - Minutes from the Feb. 6, 2025 regular session were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. - City Treasurer Dwayne Sims submitted the treasurer’s report listing total investments of $511,584,464.68, cash on hand of $15,943,668.79 and grand totals of $527,528,133.47; the council voted by voice to receive, record and file the report. - The council received a rezoning application submitted by Young Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor LLP for 1934 Rising Sun Lane; the communication was received, recorded, filed and referred to the Planning Commission.

Council actions on Feb. 20 were procedural voice votes unless otherwise noted in the meeting record. The ordinance referral means committee staff and members will prepare analyses and possibly public hearings before any subsequent council reading or vote.

What’s next: The Health, Environmental, Aging and Disabilities Committee will schedule committee-level consideration of Ordinance 25-004; council members and members of the public may advance questions or provide testimony during that committee process.