NEW — 3:45 p.m. Oct. 9, 2015
The Newcastle City Council took the first step toward banning marijuana-related business within city limits at its Oct. 6 meeting.
“I don’t think it’s something that our citizens necessarily want,” said Newcastle City Councilwoman Lisa Jensen, who made the motion instructing staff to craft an ordinance banning marijuana-related business in the city.
The motion passed unanimously, and Mayor Steve Buri asked staff to bring the ordinance back before the council prior to the end of the year.
The city appears poised to follow in the footsteps of cities such as Sammamish and Lynnwood in banning the production, processing and retail of the drug.
Council members previously adopted a six-month moratorium on marijuana-related business, giving the city time to research, analyze and assess local impacts and develop regulations for such businesses. It was extended two times and is set to expire at the end of the year.
“There’s no good that will come out of trying to allow Newcastle to be a city where this is allowed,” said Deputy Mayor John Drescher, who called for a ban since the council first considered its moratorium. “Renton’s doing it, Bellevue’s doing it, let them take the added cost and crime burden.”
City Councilman Rich Crispo stressed that this action will not stop residents from going out and buying marijuana, they just won’t be able to purchase it in Newcastle.
We’ll have more in the November Newcastle News.