The Willowick Planning Commission has had recent discussions regarding the moratorium on recreational marijuana. The commission recommended allowing the sale of recreational marijuana and adopting state regulations to Willowick City Council. The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21. According to Planning Commission Chairman Mark Carden, the moratorium has expired, and that has led to discussing options to move forward to either allow marijuana sales or to not allow them in the city. Planning Commission members additionally discussed the locations of this type of business based on state guidelines. The locations in Willowick would only be a small area on East 305th Street, as well as an area on Euclid Avenue, according to the Planning Commission. Planning Commission members also discussed the area this would be allowed in per the guidelines with regard to schools, daycares, churches and parks. Carden said a vote to extend the moratorium on recreational marijuana an additional 12 months was made previously, however, it was brought to the city’s attention that they are unable to do that. According to Law Director Stephanie Landgraf, Ohio disfavors moratoriums longer than 12 months. They will allow up to 18 months, but the city was already at 24 by the end of November 2024. Landgraf further stated that if adamant about another moratorium, she advised not to do it for more than 90 days or maybe six months. Chief Housing and Zoning Inspector Sean Brennan provided copies of other cities’ ordinances with regard to recreational marijuana for review and a basis for items the city may or may not want as recreational marijuana is now legal in Ohio. “It will be treated as any other business regulation,” he said. “There will always be state regulations that apply just as the regulations and laws with sales of liquor.” Brennan said the handouts he provided are an ordinance the city already has with regard to business, medical marijuana licensure and an ordinance that Lakewood currently has in place for marijuana dispensaries. “Lakewood has their ordinance under zoning,” Brennan said. “Ours would not be under zoning if the board was to move forward, however, it is a good ordinance to review.” Carden said this would be for the city to not prohibit a recreational marijuana dispensary, but to permit it with guidelines. Landgraf said that it would be like any other business, but it would only be permitted within a small area. Planning Commission members also discussed revenue that this would bring into the city. According to Mayor Michael Vanni, the revenue would come from the tax, which would be 35%. The city would receive 10% of that. Landgraf said this is reviewed monthly and paid annually. As of now, six cities in Lake County allow this. The Planning Commission had further discussion on the number of licenses per year that are granted, as well as further restrictions.