Commissioners move to correct cannabis zoning language so a third license can be awarded

At the Oct. 2 work session the commission reviewed a city-code amendment that would correct a problematic boundary description that had persisted through two readings and prevented applications for a third cannabis retail license in the intended area west of the Maurice River.

Mayor Dan Dixon described the existing business ("the vault") as secure and professionally run and said cannabis licensing produces municipal revenue: "This, cannabis is 2% to the city," he said. Staff and commissioners explained the prior language created a geographic reference that did not actually exist in the city ("North Of Broad Street and West Of The River") and that correcting the language will allow an additional applicant to pursue a compliant West-of-river site. The mayor estimated three active licenses could generate substantial annual revenue for municipal services and emphasized the operation and regulation would remain tightly controlled.

The proposed amendment will go to the planning board and then return to the commission for subsequent consideration; commissioners discussed enforcement, public-safety concerns and the expected economic benefits. No final vote to change the code was recorded during the work session.