After 57% of voters in Ohio approved Issue 2 during the November 2023 election, legalizing and regulating adult-use cannabis operators, Clayton City Council had imposed a moratorium on the processing of permits that would allow these types of facilities to open.
That moratorium is currently set to expire on Sept. 5.
This week’s council vote would have allowed for amendments to the city’s planning and zoning code to facilitate such operations.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Councilman Kenny Henning was one of the four who voted to reject the planning commission’s recommendation. He said his decision was influenced by opposition from Northmont school district officials.
The board of education recently passed a resolution expressing concern about the potential “health and safety” impacts of marijuana-related businesses opening within the city of Clayton.
“... (A)llowing these business near our schools and residential areas may normalize drug use among our young people. In doing so, it would undermine anti-drug education and prevention efforts in our schools,” the resolution reads. “It is imperative that we maintain a clear and consistent message that drug use is harmful and unacceptable.”
Board members asserted this potential for harm outweighs any prospective economic benefits.
“Northmont schools came to us with this resolution that the board passed unanimously, and that had a lot of value in my mind as a council member as to what we should do,” Henning said of his decision.
The other council members who voted against allowing marijuana businesses were Tina Kelly, Greg Merkle and Ryan Farmer.
Councilmen Tim Gorman and Mayor Mike Stevens, two of the three who voted in support of the planning commission recommendation, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Councilman Brendan Bachman, the third such vote, declined to comment for this story.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
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