County Commissioners renew marijuana moratorium

At their Aug. 14 meeting, the Adams County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution renewing a county-wide marijuana moratorium for another six months.

The moratorium prohibits the establishment or siting of state-licensed recreational and medical marijuana retail outlets, production and processing facilities within residentially-zoned areas.

It also prohibits licensed marijuana businesses to be within one-mile of a residentially-zoned area and areas within two miles of incorporated community boundary within unincorporated areas of Adams County.

Adams County Prosecutor Randy Flyckt said there are no changes to the moratorium.

The resolution states the commissioners determined it is necessary to renew the moratorium to limit the location of licensed recreational and marijuana retail sales, production, processing and implementation in the interest of the protection of public safety and health, and in the interest to provide additional time to evaluate the best alternative for the community.

According to the resolution, marijuana production and processing activities allowed in the agricultural zones shall be required to be located 800 feet from existing residential dwellings. The document also establishes a 300-foot set back from properties with no owner, or not used for these kinds of activities.

Under the resolution, marijuana extraction process are prohibited in unincorporated Adams County, except in industrial-zoned areas.

The County Commissioners held a public hearing before adopting the resolution. No members of the public spoke for, or against, the resolution.

The County Commissioners determined it was necessary to renew the moratorium to allow the Adams County Planning Commission additional time to identify appropriate measures and prepare an ordinance.

The ordinance will address regulating the siting, establishment, location and permitting of state-licensed recreational and marijuana operations.

Adams County Planning Commission member Bob Carlson said he is working with a new consultant, Barbara Kincaid, on research and analysis. Kincaid works for BHC Consulting out of Seattle.

In June, the County Commissioners selected BHC to provide interim support services for the Adams County Planning and Building Department.

Once the Planning Commission gathers enough information, they will draft an ordinance and enter the public hearing process. The Planning Commission will also bring a draft of the ordinance to the County Commissioners for their input.

When Carlson asked how the Planning Commission can help law enforcement with regulations, Flyckt suggested they acquire input from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and keep a map of the locations of licensed marijuana growers, producers and distributors in the county.

He also recommended creating a website with the information.

Commissioner John Marshall suggested each licensed marijuana operation have signage listing the owner, grower and state license number.