FR bans dispensaries

FORT RECOVERY — A moratorium on cannabis dispensaries in the village is in place.

Fort Recovery Village Council approved an ordinance Monday prohibiting medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries from setting up and selling products within village limits.

The decision comes in response to Ohio voters legalizing recreational marijuana for 21-year-old adults and older via their favorable vote on Issue 2 in last month’s election. Per the law, residents may grow their own products at home, but there is a limit of six plants per person or 12 plants per residence. (There are also other specifications, such as making sure it isn’t accessible to children or teenagers.)

The moratorium doesn’t prohibit residents from using cannabis at their own homes, but it does prevent businesses from selling marijuana in the village. Although the law takes effect Thursday, it takes about nine months for dispensaries to obtain licenses to sell recreational marijuana, noted village administrator Randy Diller.

Council passed the ordinance unanimously.

In other business, council members:

•Were reminded they did not purchase the 89 acres of land located along the east edge of Fort Recovery. Diller noted the auction price exceeded their budgeted amount, although he noted plans to meet with the buyer, who Diller said had expressed interest in working with the village. 

Council authorized Diller and Mayor Dave Kaup on Nov. 20 to bid on and purchase the land, which could be used for potential residential growth with some space for commercial businesses as well.

•Passed a few legislative items on second readings, including setting pay schedules for village personnel — employees are getting at least 4% raises in 2024 — renewing a two-year contract with village solicitor Erin Abels and authorizing and establishing publication requirements as Fort Recovery’s website and Facebook page.

•Heard from Brian Miller, a rural Celina resident who is vying for the Republican nomination for a commissioner seat in the 2024 election.

•Learned the village has no prospective candidates for the open utility superintendent position, which was vacated by Ryan Thien in early November. Diller said he plans to talk to utility employees this week to put together a plan moving forward.