AZETTA — Township trustees banned marijuana facilities for both recreational and medical use at a meeting Tuesday.
The prohibition of these marijuana facilities include cannabis operators, cultivators, processors and dispensaries.
The approval of recreational marijuana failed by 86 votes in the township, with 1,246 voting yes and 1,332 voting no in the November election.
Although facilities have been banned, medical and recreational marijuana is still legal to use in the township, according to Zoning Inspector Pete Pizzulo.
“This ban is only for dispensaries, so that doesn’t affect your personal rights to grow or use recreational marijuana,” he said.
He said although it’s legal to grow and use marijuana, giving it away is illegal.
Pizzulo also said growers are limited to so many plants per household. A person can grow six marijuana plants per household, according to the Ohio legislation passed in November.
Recreational users must be 21 or older to consume recreational marijuana and medical users must be at least 18..
Trustee Michael Hovis said other restrictions include keeping marijuana plants in an enclosed area.
“You can’t just openly grow it outside,” he said. “It has to be under lock and key, it’s got to be in a fenced area or in a greenhouse with a padlock on it.”
He said this prevents thieves, teenagers and children from getting access to marijuana.
Hovis said although there are no cannabis facilities in Bazetta, residents may go to other facilities that permit it and bring it to their homes in Bazetta.
He said he doesn’t see any downsides to banning these facilities in the township, even though the facilities would have generated income for the township if they were permitted.
