Residents urge council to prohibit marijuana dispensaries; ordinance 2025-11 first reading, public hearing set for March 10

MASON, Ohio — Three residents used the Feb. 10 public-comment period to urge the Mason City Council to ban medical and adult-use recreational marijuana dispensaries in the city and to press for clearer agenda language before the formal public hearing on zoning changes.

Christian Mays of Franklin, who identified himself as chairman of the Warren County Republican Party and Republican state central committeeman for Senate District 7, told the council that Ordinance 2025-11, as described on the meeting agenda, is “oblique” and does not explicitly indicate it addresses marijuana-related zoning. He asked council to commit publicly to voting down the ordinance’s current omnibus package, amend agenda descriptions to explicitly identify marijuana zoning items and bring separate pieces of legislation for zoning matters affecting marijuana activity.

Janice Rotor, a Mason resident, said she submitted a written letter and urged council to enact an ordinance prohibiting both medical and adult-use recreational dispensaries in Mason. Rotor said that although Issue 2 (November 2023) legalized marijuana in Ohio under state regulations, the ballot language preserved local control and that Mason should exercise that authority to prohibit dispensaries.

David Williams, who said his family moved to Mason for its family-oriented character, cited research and news reporting he said showed increases in impaired driving, youth access to edibles and property-crime risks tied to dispensaries in other states. Williams asked council to keep Mason’s family-friendly reputation by banning dispensaries.

Council response and next steps City staff and the mayor clarified that Feb. 10 was a first reading for the zoning amendments and that no vote on Ordinance 2025-11 would occur that night. City Manager Eric said the Mason Planning Commission recommended the zoning update at its Feb. 4 meeting and council scheduled the public hearing for March 10 to gather further public comment. Council members did not adopt any marijuana-specific prohibition that evening.

What is known about Ordinance 2025-11 The ordinance’s title on the agenda describes a repeal, amendment and addition to sections and chapters of the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations. Staff said the Planning Commission reviewed and recommended the proposed update and that the ordinance will return to council after the March 10 public hearing for further action.

Speakers and roles Speakers at the podium on this topic included Christian Mays (chairman, Warren County Republican Party; resident), Janice Rotor (resident) and David Williams (resident). Staff present included City Manager Eric, who explained the procedure and timeline for the first reading and public hearing.

Public hearing information Council set a public hearing on Ordinance 2025-11 for March 10. The hearing will be the formal opportunity for residents to review the proposed ordinance text and present testimony; staff said the ordinance and support materials will be made available before that date.

The council did not take action on marijuana zoning at the Feb. 10 meeting beyond scheduling the public hearing and acknowledging public comments.