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Public commenters urge Jackson council to cap retail cannabis licenses; motion to add review fails
Summary
Several residents urged the Jackson City Council to cap the number of retail cannabis licenses, citing mental-health and youth-safety concerns; Alderman John Weland’s motion to place the ordinance on the next agenda failed for lack of a second. The council approved its consent agenda unanimously and adjourned at 6:24 p.m.
Brad Strom, a resident who spoke during the meeting’s public comment period, asked the Jackson City Council to reconsider the city’s Retail Cannabis Ordinance because it "allows for an unlimited number of retail licenses to be issued." Mayor Marcus Polz and councilmembers heard similar concerns from two other commenters.
Sarah Strom, a resident, cited a study she said shows cannabis users are "more likely to develop paranoia and chronic psychotic disorders," and warned that high-potency products are contributing to what she described as a youth mental-health crisis. Jim Syverson, another resident, cited national statistics and said medical and psychological problems have increased with greater marijuana use.
The comments prompted Alderman John Weland to propose sending the Retail Cannabis Ordinance back to the council’s discussion items or forming a committee to review whether the city should limit the number of retail licenses. Weland said the issue repeatedly arises at council meetings and that the public has not received a clear response from the council.
Weland made a motion to place the matter on the next City Council agenda for discussion. The motion received no second and "died for lack of a second," according to the meeting minutes. Mayor Polz noted the council had discussed the ordinance at its Jan. 20 meeting and said it is up to the council to decide how to proceed.
Separately, the council approved the Consent Agenda by a unanimous motion recorded as PETERSON/TITUS. The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m. after a unanimous motion by Aldermen Nathan Peterson and Shawn Foster.
The council took no formal action to change the Retail Cannabis Ordinance at the Feb. 17 meeting; the public comments and Weland’s failed motion leave the question of a license cap unresolved. If the council wishes to revisit the ordinance it must do so by placing the item on a future agenda or creating a committee to study the proposal.
