Marijuana is now legal in Ohio but do not expect shops to open, cultivate and sell the latest hybrid bud for recreational consumption.
Council voted December 14 to impose a 12-month moratorium on the recreational cultivation and sale of marijuana. The moratorium could even be less than 12 months.
According to Council President Jessica Brandt the moratorium will allow Council time to study what other cities are doing about recreational sales and also to hold community forums to gain input.
“It’s just a moratorium to protect the city basically as we see how things shake out in the statehouse as regards to recreational marijuana,” Brandt said. “This is not permanent.”
The city still allows medical marijuana dispensaries.
The moratorium covers cultivation, processing and dispensing recreational marijuana according to Law Director Mark Guidetti.
Brandt asked for level heads to prevail whether for or against legalized marijuana.
“Try not to come at us with just emotions on this,” she said. “Let’s get some facts.”
Brandt stressed that all state laws governing marijuana, including home cultivation, are still in place.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with that, “Brandt said of the moratorium. “This is just basically recreational sales in Macedonia.
Businesses are interested in opening recreational marijuana stores in Macedonia. According to Mayor Nick Molnar two recreational marijuana businesses have contacted him about opening
Community/Parks and Recreation Awarded Rare Honor
Parks and Recreation Department Director Jason Chadock accepted a Gold Medal award on behalf of his department, team and Macedonia during the Council meeting.
“It is a privilege for me to present this award to you,”
Brian Zimmerman, CEO of Cleveland Metro Parks said as he presented a plaque to the Chadock.
Zimmerman called the medal a well-earned and deserved honor.
The award is a testimony to the impact the City of Macedonia and the Macedonia Parks and Recreation has on the community and shows the city is a leader in the field, Zimmerman said.
“Only the best of the best are recognized by this award,” according to Zimmerman.” In total, only 300 organizations, in the entire county, have been named finalists since the program’s inception in 1965.”
The award is “the most coveted award in the park and recreation profession honoring agencies and communities throughout the United States that exceed the industry standards and establish a higher standard for delivering public park and recreation services,” Zimmermam said.
“You are in true rare company,” Zimmerman added.
The award is governed by the American Academy for Park and Recreation and Administration which consists of 125 practitioners and scholars in the field committed to the advancement of parks and recreation, Zimmerman said.
Officials Issued Oath Of Office
Mayor Nicholas Molnar, along with Councilors Dave Finley and Jeff Garvas, received their oaths of office following their victories in the November elections.
Legislation:
- AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CITY OF MACEDONIA, OHIO, passed.
- AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO PURCHASE THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8481 PARK AVENUE IN THE CITY OF MACEDONIA, passed.
- AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE NORTHFIELD CENTER TOWNSHIP-MACEDONIA JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ADDITION OF 2.3087 ACRES OF LAND TO BE PLACED INTO THE TERRITORY OF THE JEDD, passed.
- AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 67-2022 RELATIVE TO CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF MACEDONIA FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2023 TO DECEMBER 31, 2023, passed.
- AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A REPLACEMENT INFRARED TUBE HEATING SYSTEM FROM WADSWORTH SOLUTIONS THROUGH THE OMNIA PARTNERS COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF MACEDONIA FIRE STATION APPARATUS BAY, passed.
- AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A MORATORIUM FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE (12) MONTHS PROHIBITING ADULT USE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS OPERATORS WITHIN THE CITY OF MACEDONIA IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE CITY TO REVIEW APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO SUCH USE, passed.
- AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MACEDONIA AND CHAGRIN VALLEY ENGINEERING, LTD. RELATIVE TO COMPENSATION FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE CITY BY THE CITY ENGINEER, passed.
- AN ORDINANCE APPROVING USE OF THE CITY OF MACEDONIA UPDATED PLANNED CAPITAL PURCHASE PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN PLANNED CAPITAL PURCHASES, passed.
- AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTING UNPAID FINES AND COSTS FOR THE MACEDONIA MAYOR’S COURT,
passed
- A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE REAPPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF KEVIN WESTBROOKS TO THE CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, passed.
- A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE REAPPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF CHRISTINE MESKE TO THE CITY PLANNING, passed..
- A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE REAPPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF ANTHONY COX TO THE CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, passed.
- A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE REAPPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF SCOTT WALLENHORST TO THE CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION. passed.
- A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE REAPPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR OF JASON ROBERTS TO THE CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, passed.
- A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S REAPPOINTMENT OF KAREN BARTOLOZZI TO THE CITY OF MACEDONIA PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION, passed.
- A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S REAPPOINTMENT OF JASON HACK TO THE CITY OF MACEDONIA PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION, passed.
- AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 182 OF THE CITY OF MACEDONIA’S CODIFIED ORDINANCES, THE CITY’S INCOME TAX ORDINANCE, passed.
