Dayton city council held a special meeting Tuesday night to discuss and vote on medical cannabis operations. The vote was unanimous, and the businesses were allowed to operate within the city limits under guidelines set by the state.
Medical cannabis operations, including cultivation and testing facilities and dispensaries, will be legal in Kentucky starting Jan. 1, 2025. Cities and counties across Northern Kentucky have been grappling with whether to allow these businesses to operate within their limits.
City Administrator Jay Fossett noted Campbell County voted to ban the businesses. If Dayton made no decision on the matter, the county decision would stand.
The city presented the three options as order resolutions — prohibit the businesses, allow the businesses or move to have them added to the November ballot.
The discussion quickly moved to questions of where a medical cannabis facility might go and what regulations were in place. Fossett explained that cities are responsible for creating zoning regulations to allow businesses to operate.
The number of dispensaries is limited to one in most counties, said council member Jeff Volter. He also noted businesses are prohibited within 1000 feet of a school or daycare.
“With all the daycares we have in town as well as the elementary and high school, there’s very little commercial area that’s not included in this 1000-foot limit. The only area is from Boone Street east,” said council member Joe Neary.
Yet, he said, it’s good to look at zoning and prepare for a potential facility.
“Two years from now maybe the laws change, the regulations change, the zoning changes. If you are in position, you can take advantage of it,” he added.
Council member Beth Nyman noted the importance of medical cannabis to people suffering from a number of medical conditions.
With this, Volter called the question, seconded by council member Christina Kelly. The vote was unanimous for allowing medical cannabis.
Next step will be to look at city zoning. According to the Office of Medical Cannabis, applications for licenses will be accepted between July 1 and Aug. 31.