Sara Stadem | Editor
The City of Crooks met on Monday, August 30, during a special meeting to discuss the first reading of Ordinance #283, an Ordinance establishing licensing regulations for Medical Cannabis Dispensary business.
According to Mayor Butch Oseby, the City of Crooks is basing the Ordinance off what their City Attorney advises them on and what needs to be done right now to make sure that the correct steps are being taken.
“We only dealt with the dispensary at this point. We haven’t gone into the testing facility or manufacturing,” Mayor Butch said. “So, with a community our size, we are thinking one shop at this time.”
“There is a learning curve with all of this so we are working through a lot of it and going on the advisement of our attorney,” Mayor Butch said.
Mayor Butch explained although the community is not looking to advertise to have a shop, they will be prepared for one to come to their community. They are working through the cost and licensing fees that will be associated with the dispensary and the amounts that were discussed could easily be changed by the time they get to the second reading, Mayor Butch clarified.
“The one good thing we didn’t know is that with the medial cannabis, there is sales tax with that and we didn’t think it was that way. That will help any small community,” Mayor Butch said.
The second reading for Ordinance #283 will be at either the September or October reading, according to Mayor Butch.
The Hartford Planning & Zoning Board, along with the City Council, held a special Joint Meeting on Tuesday, August 31, for the first reading of Ordinance #714 and first reading of Ordinance #715.
The Ordinance #714, which is pertaining to Zoning Regulations for Cannabis Regulation, would cover both medical cannabis and recreational cannabis if it comes into effect, according to City Attorney, Todd Friedberg.
In addition to the dispensary, it was proposed to allow cultivation, manufacturing and testing facilities as well. This is suggested to be in light and heavy industrial zones whereas the dispensaries would be in all commercial zones.
After discussion, the City Council had their first reading of the Ordinance #714.
The City Council considered Ordinance #715, Set Licensing Provisions for Cannabis Regulations. It was discussed as to what surrounding cities were doing for the number of dispensaries and fees. There was also discussion as to how many dispensaries the community would want to have and what fees would be beneficial for the community.
BJ Olsen was present at the meeting to comment on the proposed regulations. Mr. Olsen explained he has done extensive research on said topic as he is interested in establishing his own dispensary.
Mayor Jeremy Menning said, “This is something that could bring good jobs and money to the community and if done right, it can help a lot of people in our community.”
The next reading for the Ordinance #714 and #715 will be Tuesday, September 7, at 7 pm.