Perry Township trustees have extended a six-month moratorium on accepting applications for zoning permits that would allow recreational marijuana businesses in the community.
Trustees, during a June 25 meeting, approved a resolution to continue the moratorium through Dec. 31 — a period slightly longer than six months.
By taking this action, trustees have decided to extend a freeze “on the acceptance and processing of applications for zoning approvals of cannabis operations within the township,” the resolution states.
The moratorium would apply to businesses involved in “any cultivation, processing or retail dispensing” of marijuana to be used for recreational purposes by adults.
In addition, the moratorium also will allow Perry Township to consider amendments to relevant zoning regulations; to prepare regulations which may be necessary; and “to determine where and whether to allow, limit or prohibit cultivators, processors and retail dispensaries in the township.”
Ohio voters, in the Nov. 7 election, approved state Issue 2, a measure to legalize recreational marijuana for adults.
Other Northeast Ohio communities also have decided to take additional time in making decisions on dealing with business that specialize in recreational marijuana.
For example, Richmond Heights City Council recently voted to extend its current moratorium on recreational marijuana businesses until Oct. 19.
The unanimous vote — which prohibits any sale, cultivation or distribution of marijuana within the city for an additional four months — will give the city more time to decide how they want to move forward with the new market, council President Bobby Jordan stated in an earlier interview.
Law Director Todd Hunt gave council a fact sheet containing information on the new Ohio law. He said that the state was favoring companies with existing medical marijuana locations before new companies, and since Richmond Heights didn’t have any medical locations within the city, it might take longer for a store to open, even without a moratorium.