Where could marijuana dispensary be built?

NORWALK — Norwalk's city council will consider legislation that sets ground rules of where a medical marijuana dispensary could be constructed in the city. Councilman Steve Schumm announced Friday he will be sponsoring legislation that will be presented on Dec. 14 during the council's next work session. The legislation will be a proposed medical marijuana dispensary ordinance. The legislation would establish certain limitations for medical marijuana dispensaries of where they can open a business. Schumm said it would prevent a dispensary from being within 500 feet of a private residence. Currently, there's is no prohibition in Norwalk's zoning code to prevent a medical marijuana dispensary from opening anywhere within city limits. City law director Stuart O'Hara said the city council has three options: • The council could do nothing, meaning the state could potentially award a license to a business that would open in Norwalk. • The city could approve legislation that would amend the zoning code, limiting where a dispensary can be located. • The city could approve legislation prohibiting dispensaries in city limits. Schumm said he spoke with O'Hara because the city currently does not have any ordinances in place regarding medical marijuana. "Since we don't have anything regarding this, it will add some structure and organization to the location and parameters regarding a medical marijuana dispensary in Norwalk," Schumm said. "It will help protect private residences as it is stated that a dispensary cannot be located closer than 500 feet from the lot line of a private residence." Schumm said the ordinance would also have to be presented to the zoning committee. Councilman Tom Dunlap previously sponsored an ordinance that, if passed, would have prohibited a medical marijuana dispensary from opening within the city limits. Dunlap pulled the legislation from the agenda before it was introduced to council. Dunlap said he felt the legislation was the right thing to do but after listening to his constituents that there needs to be "more research done as opposed to making a hasty decision." At the end of October, Mayor Dave Light told city council a handful of medical marijuana companies were considering opening a facility in Norwalk. Cameron McNamee, director of policy and communications for the state of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, said the location of a dispensary must be at least 500 feet away from an opioid treatment program, public churches, public libraries, parks and schools. Council president Steve Euton asked for representatives from the companies to come to present more information to council but so far, none have. The city council also met on Monday and planned to discuss the city's 2022 budget.