MONROE — In April, Monroe City Council placed an 180-day moratorium on the granting of any new permits allowing retail dispensaries for medical marijuana within city limits.
While the moratorium doesn’t expire until Oct. 7, and could be extended, according to Law Director Philip Callahan, City Council appears ready to consider limiting the number of such businesses to four.
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There are four medical marijuana businesses planned in the city, and two are open, city leaders said. The ordinance has no impact on the dispensaries that are open or those in the planning stages, they said.
During Tuesday night’s council meeting, members said they talked to their friends and Monroe residents who said they wanted the city to limit the number of medical marijuana businesses.
At an earlier meeting, council member Michael Graves said he was concerned the city could become the “Las Vegas strip of weed dispensaries.”
Council member Dr. Kelly Clark, a veterinarian, said the issue should be decided by Monroe residents at the ballot box. She said the “scientist” in her prefers “a big sample size” than those who have talked to council members.
“I have not heard from enough residents,” she said. “The ballot is