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Council debates adult-use cannabis repeal and ordinance updates; potential revenue cited
Summary
Council members discussed repealing the Village's adult-use cannabis operator provision and broad codified ordinance updates. Proponents cited possible revenue of $500,000–$1,000,000; opponents raised moral and zoning concerns. Council did not act at the meeting.
During the Committee of the Whole on July 1, Committee Chair Dave Richmond and Village Administrator Mr. Bender presented proposed changes to the Village's codified ordinances and discussed whether to repeal Section 513.16 concerning adult-use cannabis operators.
Mr. Bender introduced the ordinance items and a legal review of Parts 3 (Traffic) and 5 (General Offenses) of the Village Codified Ordinances that the Village's attorney and staff recommended advancing as an emergency to remove conflicts and obsolete provisions. The memo cites review against Ohio state law and recent legislative sessions.
On adult-use cannabis, Mr. Richmond introduced the subject as a potential revenue opportunity; Council member Tim Engard reported his research estimating that allowing operators could generate roughly $500,000 to $1,000,000 for the Village. Mr. Richmond urged colleagues to keep an open mind. Council member Bill Cook strongly opposed allowing adult-use cannabis in or near the village, saying he was "totally against this" and called it a gateway to other drugs.
Mr. Bender said any change to allow cannabis operators would need to go to the Zoning Appeal Board and likely be located outside the village center. No ordinance repeal or vote occurred at the meeting; council members agreed to continue considering the topic and review zoning and process requirements before taking action.
Separately, Mr. Bender presented several ordinance- and policy-related items, including an equipment authorization form (with Ms. Hefner expressing insurance and third-party-liability concerns) and Resolution 18-2025 on work schedules and comp time, which Mr. Bender explained. The committee scheduled further review of the codified ordinances and advised staff to return with any corrections and implementation steps.
