Greenville council directs manager to pursue recreational marijuana dispensaries in NLZD zone

The Greenville City Council voted 6–1 on April 16 to direct the city manager to pursue an ordinance that would allow recreational marijuana dispensaries in the city’s NLZD zoning district. Councilperson Cunliffe moved the direction and Councilperson Moss seconded; the motion passed with Councilperson Lehman casting the only no vote.

The vote followed a Statement of Citizens in which several residents expressed contrasting views on recreational marijuana. According to the meeting record, Matt Bonner and Denise Debri spoke in favor, Shawnee Bonner also supported the change, while Don Rumsey, Jodie Faber and Glenn Voorhees spoke against it; other speakers raised related concerns including traffic and water rates. Jeff Hines expressed support and raised traffic concerns near Baldwin Heights Elementary.

Councilmembers who voted to direct the manager said they wanted staff to draft an ordinance that would permit dispensaries in the NLZD zone and bring legal text back to the council for review. Councilmember Lehman opposed the direction but the minutes do not record an extended floor debate or additional amendments to the motion.

The action does not itself change zoning or create immediate permits; it directs staff to pursue ordinance language. The council’s direction will next require the manager and city staff to prepare draft ordinance language, schedule any required public hearings and return the item to council for formal consideration and potential adoption.

How the city defines the NLZD district and what licensing or operational conditions would be included (hours, buffers, security, business licensing) were not specified in the meeting record and will be determined during the drafting process.

The council took the direction as part of its New Business agenda; no implementation timeline or deadline was recorded in the minutes.