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Bellbrook council bans adult‑use cannabis businesses, adopts ordinance
Summary
Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2025‑O‑11, replacing the sale‑of‑drug‑paraphernalia chapter with a "recreational marijuana" chapter and using authority under Ohio law to prohibit adult‑use cannabis operators within city limits.
Bellbrook City Council on July 28 adopted Ordinance 2025‑O‑11, which replaces the city's existing sale‑of‑drug‑paraphernalia chapter with a new chapter titled "recreational marijuana" and establishes a permanent prohibition on adult‑use cannabis operators in the city.
Councilman Hoke read the ordinance as introduced, and City Manager Rob explained the measure follows a moratorium and local review of state law and community input. "The moratorium was the temporary measure...after reviewing all that, it appears to be in the best interest of the community to make that status permanent," Rob said, noting Bellbrook's limited retail space and concerns about existing businesses selling other intoxicating products.
Council members questioned tax‑revenue implications; Rob said the local tax benefit appeared limited given state and local tax rules and Bellbrook's small retail footprint. No members of the public spoke for or against the ordinance during the public hearing.
On a motion to adopt Ordinance 2025‑O‑11, the council voted yea: Councilman TJ Ashley (Yea), Councilwoman Cyphers (Yea), Councilman Forrest Greenwood (Yes), Councilman Brady Hardy (Yes), Deputy Mayor Ernie Havens (Yes), Councilman Hoke (Yea), and Mayor Mary Schweller (Yes). The mayor announced "Motion carries."
