Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cannabis Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council weighs county-led cannabis registration, discusses possible cap
Summary
Staff briefed council on a cannabis registration study and a possible joint powers agreement with the county to delegate registration and compliance checks; the county is drafting an ordinance and council members asked to review that draft before committing to a joint agreement, with some expressing support for a local cap equivalent to the statutory minimum.
Foley staff updated the council on work to implement city responsibilities for registering cannabis businesses and on talks with Benton County about a joint powers agreement that would have the county conduct registrations and compliance checks.
Staff said the state requires cities to be able to register cannabis businesses beginning Jan. 1 and described a county draft ordinance the assistant county attorney is preparing; staff does not yet have the county draft to present. The county has suggested that the city adopt county zoning language as part of a joint approach. Staff also raised the question of whether the city should cap registrations; they noted the statutory formula allows one license per 12,500 residents, which in Foley’s population would effectively permit one registration.
Council members were split: some supported a cautious approach and suggested adopting a cap of one registration (given Foley's population), while others urged seeing the county ordinance before making a decision. Staff recommended returning to the council with a proposed ordinance by the December meeting so the city would be prepared to register businesses on Jan. 1 if necessary. The council did not adopt any ordinance or formal joint-powers agreement at the meeting; staff will report back once the county draft is available.
