UP Council Approves Moratorium on Marijuana Businesses

The University Place City Council unanimously approved a moratorium on marijuana businesses during the May 6, 2013 regular meeting, citing the uncertainty of its legality in federal court.

“This is not a judgment of whether it’s right or wrong, but [the sale, manufacture and distribution] of marijuana is all illegal under federal law,” said city attorney Steve Victor.

The moratorium gives the council 6 months to determine a more permanent course of action when it comes to marijuana businesses within city limits. It could also be extended at its end. There are no current businesses in UP that are affected by this action.

With the pending implementation of I-502 to legally sell marijuana, a permanent response to the pot business might not be far down the road.

Victor told the city council that the planning commission has already done some work on the question of where marijuana businesses might be licensed within city limits, if at all. Somewhere down the road, the city could categorize it as something similar to an adult business and zone accordingly.

“If we are surprised with something from the state or federal level during the moratorium, we are prepared to take that kind of approach to the planning commission if we need to," Victor said.

Councilmember Kent Keel encouraged the city council to look at this issue in the future and make a permanent decision on marijuana sales in UP.

“Let’s not just burn through this 6 month moratorium by doing nothing," said Keel. "Let's plan for some actualities.” 

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