Councilmembers at May’s monthly caucus meeting were faced with an important decision: With Kentucky’s 2025 legalization of medically applied cannabis set for Jan. 1, where will Union stand?
When the state first announced that the city would need to make a decision by June 30, city officials said they were initially divided on what action to take.
The state of Kentucky has offered cities a choice: If no action is taken to ban dispensaries, the state assumes that the city is allowing them to do business; otherwise, the city can pass an ordinance that would outlaw them.
The state is allowing 11 medical cannabis dispensaries to operate within the state, and four of those will be placed somewhere in Northern Kentucky.
City Attorney Greg Voss acknowledged that marijuana was still recognized by the federal government as an illegal substance; the initial ordinance proposed would’ve outright banned medical cannabis dispensaries from operating within Union.
“Federally, it is still a criminal act,” Voss said when referring to the consumption of marijuana.
However, city commissioners such as Brian Garner were opposed to immediately banning medical marijuana dispensaries and thought they should potentially leave this decision to the citizens of Union.
“I think it would be a good way to gauge it,” Garner said when speaking on public opinion.
Commissioners decided to leave the ultimate choice up to the voters, which would appear on the ballot in November.
The city went back to the drawing board to consider a revised ordinance and resolution that would temporarily cease the distribution of licenses in Union while allowing the residents to decide for themselves by referendum.
Union resident Ryan Turner, a long-time user of medically applied CBD products, is a supporter of medically applied cannabis.
“I wholeheartedly believe medical cannabis is a good form of treatment,” Turner said.
He also agrees that the city made the right choice by allowing these businesses in Union and leaving the decision to the residents.
The second reading of the ordinance will occur at the next city meeting on June 17.