Title
Approval of Ordinance Extending for an Additional Six Months the Moratorium on Medical Marijuana Collective Gardens and Other Cannabis Related Uses not Addressed by I-502 (First and Final Reading)
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
* Hold the public hearing.
* After closing the Public Hearing and if Council has enough information for a decision, move to suspend Council's usual Guideline and approve on first and final reading the ordinance extending the moratorium on medical marijuana collective gardens for an additional 6 months, to a total of 729 days.
[Note Two-thirds affirmative vote of members present is needed for first and final reading = 5 members if all are present.]
Report
Issue:
Should the City Council extend the City's existing moratorium on new Medical Marijuana Collective Gardens and other cannabis related land uses not addressed by Initiative 502?
Staff Contact:
Chris Grabowski, Code Enforcement Officer, 360.753.8168
Darren Nienaber, Interim City Attorney, 360.753.8044
Presenter(s):
Chris Grabowski, Code Enforcement Officer, 360.753.8168
Darren Nienaber, Interim City Attorney, 360.753.8044
Background and Analysis:
City staff requests that the Council extend the City's moratorium on marijuana establishments that are not State-licensed. This is necessary because the State failed to take action in its last legislative session but is expected to take action in the next session. The following provides more information on the events leading to where we are now.
In November of 2012, Washington State voters passed Initiative Measure No. 502 (I-502) legalizing the sale of recreational cannabis in the State of Washington. Subsequently, on May 7, 2013, the Olympia City Council established a moratorium on all new cannabis related land uses. The moratorium was for one year. On October 15, 2013, Council approved interim zoning regulations for I...
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