Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cannabis Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bellbrook council introduces ordinance to prohibit adult‑use cannabis sales
Summary
At its July 14 meeting the Bellbrook City Council voted to introduce Ordinance 2025‑O‑11, which would repeal the city's drug‑paraphernalia chapter and add a new chapter prohibiting adult‑use cannabis operators; the measure was scheduled for public hearing at the council's next meeting.
On July 14, 2025 the Bellbrook City Council voted to introduce Ordinance 2025‑O‑11, an amendment to Title 2, Part 8 of the Bellbrook Code of Ordinances that would repeal the current chapter on sale of drug paraphernalia and enact a new chapter 8.72 titled "Recreational Marijuana" to prohibit adult‑use cannabis operators within the city.
City Manager Rob said the ordinance is the next step after several moratoriums while the city awaited state rules. "That's correct. We've had a couple of moratoriums and extended those out while we were seeing what the final rules and guidance from, the changes in state law," Rob said. He told council that recent state developments, including actions that could affect local tax revenue, prompted the recommendation to codify a prohibition.
Councilman Harding introduced the ordinance and read its preamble, which cites municipal authority under Article XVIII, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution and Ohio Revised Code section 3780.25 as the statutory basis for a municipality to prohibit adult‑use cannabis operators. The ordinance text repeals the existing chapter on sale of drug paraphernalia and replaces it with the new chapter as shown in an attached exhibit.
Council members asked clarifying questions about the practical effect of the ordinance. One council member summarized the measure as a local decision not to permit sales within city limits; the presenter confirmed that characterization.
On a motion to introduce Ordinance 2025‑O‑11 for public hearing, the council recorded five affirmative votes: Councilman Ashley, Councilwoman Cyphers, Councilman Greenwood, Councilman Harding and Mayor Schweller. The council did not adopt the ordinance on July 14; it was introduced for public hearing and further consideration at the next reading.
The ordinance text and preamble also state that the council found the action was taken in open meeting and references Ohio Revised Code section 121.22 for open‑meeting compliance.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2025‑O‑11 — Motion to introduce for public hearing: 5‑0; outcome: introduced for public hearing.
A public hearing and a subsequent vote on adoption were scheduled for the council's next meeting.
