Elsmere City Council discussed zoning guidance for medical cannabis licensing at its July 2 caucus meeting, where the ballot measure came out ahead.
In view of the legalization of medical cannabis in Kentucky beginning Jan. 1, 2025, each city must decide whether to allow medical cannabis businesses to operate within their jurisdictions, prohibit the licensing or put the issue on the November ballot. Sharmili Reddy, executive director of Kenton County’s Planning and Development Services, presented the city with these three options at June’s caucus meeting.
Council members Gloria Grubbs, Missy Tester and Joanne Barnett Smith favored the ballot option, which would leave the final decision to Elsmere’s voters. Council member Malcolm Daniels spoke in favor of adopting regulation on licensing without resorting to ballot. Kenton County is likely to opt out of licensing according to Mayor Marty Lenhof, and cities that have not taken action by the Jan. 1 deadline will default to the county’s decision.
As the ballot measure allows residents to petition their local government’s decision, Grubbs proposed prohibiting licensing in Elsmere first and then putting the issue on the ballot. She expressed approval of legalizing medical cannabis at the previous caucus meeting.
The city administration will prepare two resolutions for the council to vote on at next week’s meeting. Once approved, the resolutions will be sent to Kenton County. Petitions must be certified by the county clerk by Aug. 13 to be eligible for the November ballot.