During its regular meeting on July 1, 2019, the New Cordell city council adopted changes to its existing ordinances regarding the location of marijuana dispensaries within city limits and the sale and consumption of alcohol on public property.
Mayor Jerry Beech opened the discussion by asking the council members present to try to put aside some of their personal feelings regarding medical marijuana and alcohol and to consider the best interests of the city, especially with regard to the tax revenue that could be generated given the changes being considered.
Up first was an ordinance that would allow for the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits, so long as they are not within 1,000 feet of a “private or public preschool, elementary, secondary, vocational or trade school, college or university.”
The ordinance also prohibits the operation of marijuana cultivator and processor facilities within city limits.
The council also adopted an amendment to the city’s alcoholic beverage ordinance that allows the city to issue permits for individuals or entities holding special events on public property to sell and/or serve alcoholic beverages during said event. The ordinance does require compliance with all state regulations regarding alcholic beverage sales and service, including the acquisitiion of a special event or caterer’s license from Oklahoma’s ABLE commission, if such is required by the state for the event in question.
Both ordinances were passed under the city’s emergency clause, meaning they became effective immediately upon passage by the city council.
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