Everett Council Marijuana Vote Tonight Attracting Outside Influences

Tonight the Everett City Council will hold a public hearing and then likely vote on whether to agree with city staff and Everett Planning Commission recommendations to double the number of retail marijuana stores allowed to operate within the Everett City limits to ten from the current five. Also in the proposal is a reduction in the setback between retail marijuana stores from 2500 feet to 500 feet. Here is the proposed ordinance.

10 Marijuana stores ordinance

In today’s Herald newspaper an ad placed by groups called PopPot.org and MomsStrong.org urges council members Paul Roberts, Judy Tuohy and Brenda Stonecipher to vote against the additional five proposed stores and the ad thanks council members Scott Bader, Jeff Moore and Scott Murphy for their past support. Council member Ethel McNeal was not mentioned in the ad.

Recent public testimony has featured speakers from outside of Everett both for and against the planning commission recommendations.

An attorney for the five holders of State issued permits has also addressed the council on multiple occasions advising that his clients have been patient and not sued the city to force approval.

It is not an either-or proposition for the city council who could add just one or two more stores, or add regulations and buffers to the ordinance. They are not bound by the Planning Commission recommendation.

Tonight’s public hearing and vote are set as item 7 on the council agenda. The meeting begins at 6:30 PM in the Everett City Council chambers at 3002 Wetmore Avenue in downtown Everett.