Waynesville council debates adult-use dispensary options as moratorium nears end

Council members discussed the impending expiration of the village’s moratorium on adult-use recreational marijuana, set to expire on Jan. 16, 2025, and asked the law director to prepare draft legislation for the next meeting.

Law Director Jeffrey D. Forbes explained state law options: do nothing (allow dispensaries where retail is permitted), limit the number of dispensaries, or adopt an ordinance prohibiting dispensaries; he said a local ordinance does not require Planning Commission referral. Forbes summarized regulatory constraints included in state law as discussed in the meeting: dispensaries generally cannot be within 500 feet of schools and churches and state rules limit proximity between dispensaries so that, given Waynesville’s size, only one dispensary would likely be allowed; the state also imposes a 10% sales tax on adult-use marijuana sales, and Forbes said "30% of the 10% is divided among all the ‘host cities.'"

Chief Gary Copeland expressed opposition to allowing dispensaries in the village, saying he would not allow any and noting odor concerns. Mr. Troy Lauffer urged caution about missing potential revenue opportunities. Mrs. Connie Miller asked Mr. Forbes to draft legislation prohibiting dispensaries within village limits; Mr. Forbes agreed to prepare an ordinance for the next meeting and noted council could reverse that decision later if desired.

Provenance: topic introduced SEG 028; topic finish SEG 028.