West Carrollton seeks to ban medical marijuana

City council to consider proposal similar to that OK’d by Miamisburg.

Legislation to be considered by City Council tonight calls for the prohibition of cultivation, processing and retail distribution of the drug.

West Carrollton WEST CARROLLTON — appears to headed toward joining area communities that have approved medical marijuana bans.

Legislation set to be considered by West Carrollton City Council tonight calls for the prohibition of cultivation, processing and retail distribution of the drug within the city.

The ordinance, which is not expected to be voted on tonight, contains similar language to a proposal approved last week by Miamisburg.

“Marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under” federal guidelines, “rendering the manufacture, distribution, dispensation and the possession of marijuana with the intention to manufacture, distribute or dispense a crime under federal law,” the legislation states.

Council members discussed the issue at a mid-year retreat, Planning Director Greg Gaines said recently. The city is seeking a long-term solution to the issue before a nine-month moratorium approved in February expires.

Earlier this year, West Carrollton officials were approached about a group establishing a medical marijuana growing site in the city, but did not pursue it.

Mayor Jeff Sanner said the number of jobs the facility would produce did not make the proposal worth considering further.

If approved, the West Carrollton legislation would make violating the ban a first-degree misdemeanor charge, documents show.

Aside from Miamisburg, other communities banning the cultivation, processing and retail distribution of medical marijuana include Oakwood, Huber Heights and Butler Twp.

Some communities — Riverside, German Twp., Dayton, Yellow Springs, Mad River Twp., Monroe and Carlisle, among them have allowed proposals for cultivation sites to move forward.