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Ames declines local action on new state 'device delivery' permits; state can issue licenses without local approval
Summary
After a staff briefing on a new state license for delivery of inhalation devices (with a $1,500 nonrefundable application fee and a 40% excise tax), the council declined to adopt a local permitting policy, opting instead to let the state process any applications without local involvement to avoid burdening city staff and to prevent local application fees being lost to applicants.
Council considered how to handle a new Iowa Department of Revenue license for delivery providers of devices used for inhalation (products containing glass or metal intended for combustion inhalation of tobacco, hemp, plant materials or, potentially, controlled substances). Chief Huff explained the law and policy options: the city could establish a local permitting process (evaluated case‑by‑case), adopt a policy of nonissuance to prevent local delivery, or take no action and allow the state to issue licenses without local involvement.
Council members raised public‑safety and administrative concerns, noting the state license carries a $1,500 nonrefundable application fee and significant excise taxes. Chief Huff said he had not seen device‑delivery licenses widely used locally and flagged enforcement questions. Several council members said they did not want to add more licensing work to council or staff workloads. The council voted by voice to decline local involvement and allow the state to process permits directly (option 3). Staff will notify local retailers about the city's policy to avoid applicants spending the state license fee if the council intended to prohibit delivery, and the clerk's office will monitor whether any applications are filed.
