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Council allows one-time consent agreements for marijuana license renewals after delinquent taxes; two license appeals tabled
Summary
The council authorized the city attorney, with the public service director, to enter one-time consent agreements reinstating marijuana licenses if the licensee paid delinquent taxes before an appeal was heard and agreed the concession would be a one-time accommodation. Two separate license appeals were tabled.
The Warren City Council approved a resolution authorizing the city attorney's office, with the public service director's consent, to enter consent agreements reinstating municipal marijuana licenses when a timely appeal has been filed and delinquent taxes (including penalties and interest) were paid before the appeal deadline.
City legal advisor explained the policy mirrors state practice: if a licensee is denied renewal due to unpaid taxes but pays those taxes during the appeals period, the state allows reinstatement; the council resolution allows a similar, narrowly tailored remedy at the municipal level to encourage payment and avoid protracted appeals and loss of local revenue.
Council amended the resolution to require that any consent agreement include a signed acknowledgment from the licensee that this reinstatement is a one-time accommodation and that they must timely pay taxes in future years; council members said they did not want the measure to become a recurring crutch for repeat offenders.
Council also considered appeals by two licensees (Emerald Mountain Labs and Boxer Enterprises LLC). The council voted to table both appeals pending further action; those tabling motions carried on recorded votes.
Council clarified the resolution applies only to tax-related nonrenewal and does not bypass other zoning, building, or public-safety reviews that remain enforceable. Public service representatives confirmed licensees receive renewal notices and other communications; staff said the city is automating a three-month notice to licensees about upcoming renewals.
