Council amends and advances moratorium on recreational marijuana dispensaries to first reading

Bellefontaine City Council moved Ordinance 25-04 — a moratorium to prohibit recreational marijuana dispensaries within the municipal corporation — off the table, amended the emergency clause, and passed the ordinance on first reading.

Rules Committee Chair Missus James proposed an amendment to remove the emergency declaration and change the ordinance’s effective language so it would take effect at the earliest time allowable by law rather than immediately; she said the change preserves a roughly 30-day window for public response. The amendment was seconded, debated, and adopted by roll call.

Later in the meeting the clerk read the ordinance text describing the council’s exercise of its authority under the Ohio Revised Code to prohibit adult-use cannabis operators within the municipal boundaries. Missus James moved to pass the ordinance on first reading only; the motion was seconded and roll-call votes were recorded (a mix of yes and no votes was noted). The ordinance was advanced on first reading.

The council did not declare the ordinance an emergency after the amendment, which means the effective timing will be the earliest date allowed by law following statutory notice periods and posting. The council will consider additional readings or final adoption at subsequent meetings after the public comment/notice period expires.

No public testimony in favor of dispensaries was recorded at tonight's meeting; the discussion focused on procedural amendment and timing rather than substantive operational rules for dispensaries.

Next steps: the ordinance will proceed through the city's regular reading schedule and any required notice period before final adoption could be considered.