Board reviews draft to align drug-paraphernalia definition with state law and ban related commercial signage

Staff presented two draft resolutions for board consideration. The first would replace the 2012 definition of "drug paraphernalia" with language that mirrors the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) and would list non‑exclusive factors for staff to consider when evaluating whether an item qualifies under that definition.

On the signage side, staff described proposed changes to the non-residential design guidelines (draft 2026R-10) that would ban signs advertising or promoting drugs or drug paraphernalia, including names, slogans, images, symbols and slang. The presenter gave an example to illustrate scope: a business named "Fred Smoke Shop" would be allowable as a name but outward-facing imagery such as a marijuana leaf would be prohibited under the proposed blacklist approach.

Staff said the new approach ties enforcement to the same standard used in Arizona courts and that businesses would have the right to appeal staff denials to the board. The staff presenter suggested a 90‑day compliance timeline following adoption. The item was discussed for direction and scheduled to return for a vote at a future meeting.