CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — In a contentious move, Chillicothe City Council passed an ordinance temporarily banning the establishment of new marijuana dispensaries within city limits. The decision, aimed at pausing developments in the newly legalized cannabis industry, passed with only one dissenting vote from Councilman Dan Demint.
Lisa Bennett, the sponsor of the ordinance, defended the measure as a necessary step to allow the city time to revise its zoning code, a process expected to be completed by spring. “This pause is about ensuring that our city has the proper regulations in place before any further expansion,” Bennett stated during the council meeting.
Limited Attendance Raises Questions
The vote occurred with several notable absences, including Mayor Luke Feeney, the city auditor, and three council members.
Law Director Pushes for Tightened Regulations
The moratorium was strongly supported by City Law Director Anna Villareal, who cited examples from other Ohio cities to justify the need for tighter regulations. In a letter to Council President Kevin Shoemaker, Villareal highlighted concerns about the unregulated growth of dispensaries and drew parallels to restrictions on adult entertainment venues. “We have noticed that a number of cities have enacted legislation to regulate the location of such businesses,” she wrote, recommending that the issue be studied further by council committees.
Villareal’s advocacy reflects a broader trend among Ohio municipalities, many of which are grappling with how to balance the voter-approved legalization of marijuana with local zoning and regulatory concerns.
Public Reaction Divided
The decision sparked mixed reactions among Chillicothe residents. One frustrated local expressed concerns about government overreach. “This is just another push by our legislators to obstruct the will of the voters,” the resident said. “This is just what they did previously to places like the Lion’s Den. They won’t let that store in the city limits either.”
The ordinance’s passage marks a critical step in Chillicothe’s approach to regulating the cannabis industry, but it has also ignited a debate over whether local government is respecting the intent of state voters. As the zoning review moves forward, further clashes between public opinion and municipal regulation are likely to unfold.
