By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
The city of Groveport is taking a wait and see approach regarding the potential of medical marijuana businesses operating within the city limits.
On April 24, Groveport City Council approved an ordinance to impose a one year moratorium on issuing permits allowing retail dispensaries, cultivators, or processors of medical marijuana in the city.
According to Ohio Revised Code 3796, a municipality can limit, or prohibit, the number of such medical marijuana dispensaries, etc. within its limits.
Groveport City Administrator Marsha Hall said rules are currently being adopted by the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program. State cultivator laws were required to be set by May 6 and all other rules by Sept. 8.
Groveport Law Director Kevin Shannon said that, according to state officials, the state rules and regulations regarding medical marijuana will not be effective until September 2018.
“A one year moratorium will allow us to review all of the adopted rules and make a determination as to whether to limit or prohibit them and to set any city specific city regulations,” said Hall. “We asked for a one year moratorium so that, if the city of Groveport decides to allow it, or make the rules more restrictive, or make other zoning changes regarding it, we would have time to change our zoning codes, which is a lengthy process.”
Hall said people would have to apply to the state to obtain a license to become a retail dispensary, cultivator, or processor of medical marijuana. But, if it becomes allowed to do these types of businesses in Groveport, they would have to go through the city’s zoning process just like any other business.
She said as of this time the city has not received any business applications or filings regarding these types of businesses.
Fourth of July parade changes
Due to the Hendron Road construction project, Groveport’s annual Fourth of July parade will alter its route this year.
The parade, which will be held July 4 at 11 a.m., will be staged and begin at the Groveport Recreation Center, 7370 Groveport Road. It will then proceed west on Main Street and end at Tallman Street.
“We’ll make it work,” said Hall.
In previous years, the parade started at Glendening Elementary, proceeded south on Hendron Road, then east on Main Street. But that route cannot be used this year because Hendron Road will be closed this summer for road reconstruction.
Hall said parade participants will park at Groveport Zion Lutheran Church on Main Street and then be shuttled to the parade staging area at the recreation center. Then, when the parade ends at Tallman Street, the participants can easily walk to their cars in the church parking lot.
Animal restrictions at city events
Council heard the second reading of an ordinance to prohibit people from bringing their animals to city sponsored event and festival areas, including the Fourth of July celebration, Apple Butter Day, Kids Fest, and any other city supported or sponsored event as determined by the city administrator. The ordinance would not apply to guide or service dogs, police dogs, animal exhibits, or pets on residential properties within the event area. Council will vote on the issue at its May 8 meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 655 Blacklick St.
