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Council liaison explains legislative priorities and citizen ballot question on recreational dispensaries
Summary
Mayor Missy Waldman, acting as the council liaison, outlined the 2025 legislative priorities (municipal revenue preservation, juvenile justice reform, election law concerns) and explained that a citizen petition forced a Proposition A ballot question on banning recreational marijuana dispensaries citywide; passage would require 60% approval, she said.
Acting council liaison Mayor Missy Waldman reported to the Economic Development Commission on regional legislative priorities and a citizen‑driven ballot question affecting Olivette.
Waldman said the executive municipal league set 2025 priorities that include preserving municipal revenue sources and juvenile justice reform. She also covered regional economic data presented at a chamber event and highlighted immigrant entrepreneurship as a regional asset.
On a citizen petition regarding recreational marijuana dispensaries, Waldman explained the city received a sufficient petition and turned it over to the board of elections and the Secretary of State for verification; the question (referred to in the meeting as Proposition A) was placed on the ballot. She described the ballot choice this way: “If you vote yes, you’re saying yes, we don’t want recreational dispensaries in our community.” Waldman noted required thresholds and that, if approved (60% threshold described at the meeting), the result would ban recreational dispensaries citywide under the ballot language.
Commissioners asked for clarifications about radius limits, hours of operation and how medical dispensaries are treated; Waldman and staff said medical dispensaries cannot be outright prohibited by the city and explained that state licensing steps would be required for a medical operator to add recreational operations. Staff also referenced existing local regulations (e.g., separation and hours rules) that apply to dispensaries.
Waldman encouraged commissioners to engage neighbors and answer questions from constituents about the ballot item.
