City puts medical marijuana on hold again

North Ridgeville’s ban on the cultivation, processing and dispensing of medical marijuana has been put on hold for another two weeks after the legislation did not receive the super majority needed at the City Council meeting June 19.

During its June 5 meeting, Council delayed for two weeks voting on the legislation because it had the word “prescribing” in it, and some Council members felt it would be unnecessary to ban physicians from prescribing medical marijuana to patients.

Council amended the legislation and took out prescribing June 19, which would allow physicians to prescribe medical marijuana in city limits.

President-at-Large Kevin Corcoran motioned for the ordinance to be dispensed on the third reading and attempted to add the emergency clause, which would have made the ban effective immediately as opposed to 30 days after Council approved it.

The motion passed with a 4-2 vote, with Council-atLarge Roseanne Johnson and Ward 3 Council member Bruce F. Abens voting against it. Ward 1 Council member Gregg A. Westover was absent.

In order for officials to suspend Council bylaws, a super majority is necessary, according to Law Director Andrew Crites.

“We do need a super majority to dispense the third reading, so we need five votes in favor of the ordinance,” Crites said.

Council debated if it wanted to extend the moratorium to avoid any businesses trying to make their way into the city before the city put a ban on it, but decided to not to carry it out because they did not see any new enterprises rushing into the city.

“It would be impossible for a business to rush in the city,” Crites said.

Abens said he voted against the motion because he felt Council needed more time to consider the legislation in spite of the moratorium expiring June 21 because it’s such a hot button issue.

Johnson added, “I think it’s a controversial issue and I think it should receive the full three readings.”

Council will revisit the ban at its July 5 meeting.