The Newcastle City Council unanimously agreed to ban marijuana-related business within city limits at its Dec. 1 meeting.
In a very straightforward vote that required little discussion, the council joined cities such as Sammamish and Lynnwood in banning the production, processing and retail of the drug.
“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 business back in October.
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 expired at the end of 2015.
“There’s no good that will come out of trying to allow Newcastle to be a city where this is allowed,” Deputy Mayor John Drescher said in October. “Renton’s doing it, Bellevue’s doing it, let them take the added cost and crime burden.”
Drescher, who called for a ban since the council first considered its moratorium, made the motion to prohibit marijuana business Dec. 1.
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.
City Councilwoman Carol Simpson added that if residents really wanted to partake, they need only head to Renton.
Even before the ban, city staff considered the potential for any marijuana-related business activity in Newcastle very low due to state Liquor Control Board rules on where marijuana facilities can set up shop.
The board requires a 1,000-foot separation between marijuana facilities and places such as parks, libraries and schools. Only the Shell gas station, the Coal Creek Utility District building and the Hansen Moving and Storage Building could facilitate that.
“The likelihood of a business going in is pretty slim,” City Manager Rob Wyman said.