Port Clinton bans medical marijuana

PORT CLINTON — City officials approved a temporary 6-month ban on medical marijuana in Port Clinton during a recent council meeting. The ban, approved unanimously by the council, prohibits the growth or sale of medical marijuana within city limits. The state passed a law Sept. 8 allowing pre-approved patients to inhale marijuana in non-smoking forms, such as vapor, for certain chronic health conditions. It would bar them from smoking or growing it at home.The state law includes a provision allowing municipalities to institute a temporary or permanent ban of medical marijuana."We're taking a thoughtful approach," councilman Gabe Below said of the issue. "We thought six months was appropriate." A city committee headed up by Below met previously to discuss medical marijuana. It recommended city council enact the temporary ban. City officials will use the temporary ban to research zoning law as it pertains to medical marijuana in the coming months. Council will expect a recommendation by April 1 from the city's planning and development committee. "We can be prepared and proactive about this issue," Below said. Port Clinton isn't the first local municipality to enact a temporary medical marijuana ban. In fact, Oak Harbor, Perkins, Sandusky, Huron and Vermilion approved prohibitions, too. Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterPort Clinton officials approved a ban on medical marijuana. People can't sell, dispense, cultivate or process the substance anywhere within the political subdivision. The local legislation supersedes a state law, effective Sept. 8, allowing for pre-approved patients to inhale marijuana in non-smoking form, such as vapor, for certain chronic health conditions.