West Newsmagazine 2-14-18

12 I NEWS I
125501 CB
February 14, 2018
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
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Wildwood, MO 63040
By JESSICA MESZAROS
In response to the possible placement
of a handful of measures on the state’s
upcoming Nov. 6 general election ballot
regarding the legalization of medical cannabis,
the Ellisville City Council asked city
staff to develop text amendments to consider
hydroponic and greenhouse growing
applications as well possible options for
retail dispensaries.
The suggestion was brought forward by
Councilmember Ken Newhouse [District
2] as a way to bring more revenue
into the city after a dip in
sales revenue in 2017. Sales tax
revenue is Ellisville’s largest
income producer.
“I’m not going to take an official
position on this, and I don’t
want the city to take an official
stance on this, but I know we’ve
had revenue questions lately,
and my question is if a medical
cannabis dispensary or a
plot for a grower could impact
our revenue,” Newhouse said
at the council’s Feb. 7 meeting.
“It’s certainly an interesting business if it
becomes legal statewide.”
The issue potentially could be sent to
the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission
[P&Z] for the creation of zoning text
amendments and possible alteration of
existing zoned areas to allow for commercial
or agricultural uses. Though no action
on that suggestion was taken.
“I think this is a potential source of retail
revenue,” Mayor Pro Tem Dan Duffy said.
Areas along Old State Road specifically
were pitched as possible locations for
greenhouses, due to its zoning within the
city’s light manufacturing area. According
to Duffy, zoning in the area could be
altered to allow certain agricultural uses
and other conditional uses. The council
also discussed the potential use of smaller
areas, such as secured greenhouses with
@WESTNEWSMAG
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Ellisville looks toward options if
medical cannabis is legalized
NEWS BRIEFS, from page 9
Asked if the suspect still could
be charged, Magee said, “That’s
correct.” Asked if it was unusual
to let a suspect in this kind of
case go, he said, “No, it’s not
unusual.” However, Magee
would not elaborate further.
Magee put no time frame on
when a decision could be made.
Meanwhile, Florissant Police
hydroponic growing systems, which use
a source of highly oxygenated, nutrient
enriched water to aid in crop production.
“I don’t really think people are growing
cannabis is large areas,” Councilmember
Stephen Chismarich [District 1] said at the
council’s Feb. 7 work session. “I think it’s
grown in smaller, much more controlled
environments, hydroponically.”
According to Councilmember Vince
McGrath [District 1], the production of
medical cannabis is specialized and somewhat
difficult.
Missouri voters may have the opportunity in November to
decide if medical cannabis [marijuana] should be legalized.
“It’s not easy to grow, so it’s not just
going to be a field where people can throw
seeds,” McGrath said.
The city also discussed initiating conversations
with local pharmacies should the
legislation pass since individuals would
need a prescription from a doctor to purchase
cannabis. The council also suggested
looking at cities where medical marijuana
is legal to find examples of how to model
potential legislation and zoning.
According to Duffy, no law change will
be active in the city until statewide legalization
legislation is passed.
The state has yet to finalize any 2018
ballot measures regarding medical cannabis,
but a few initiative petitions have been
approved for circulation.
“I think we’re putting the cart before the
horse here,” resident Mick Cahill said.
Winchester resident
Scott Beary
[Beary family photo]
Officer Steve Michael, a
spokesperson for that department,
said the case is not
closed. A Facebook posting
by Florissant police on the
morning of Feb. 9 said, “By
law, an individual can’t
legally be held in police custody
when no charges are
issued within 24 hours.” The
suspect was booked on
Wednesday, Feb. 7.