Committee votes to let moratorium expire on five new cannabis dispensary license applications

The Legal & Finance Committee on Nov. 27 considered whether to continue the moratorium on accepting applications for five outstanding cannabis dispensary licenses. The item (Item 13) asked for direction about whether to preserve the moratorium, reduce the number of potential licenses, or issue the licenses under conditions.

Committee member Mr. Meyer argued against issuing the five licenses, citing the November election result where recreational marijuana failed, and suggested there was no immediate need to expand dispensaries. Committee counsel (identified in discussion as Landin/Landy) outlined options: let the moratorium lapse and allow the ordinance as written to proceed; reduce the total number of licenses authorized by ordinance; issue the remaining five licenses but require that licensees become operational within a year or face revocation; or forward the question without recommendation to full council.

Mr. Evans moved that the committee let the moratorium expire and leave the existing ordinance language in place; the motion received a second and passed with one recorded dissent from Mr. Maher. The committee did not adopt an amendment to reduce the number of licenses at this meeting.

The committee's action means staff may proceed consistent with the ordinance previously adopted; members noted they could revisit the policy in the future if operational issues arise or if council desired further restrictions.