Advertisement
  • National News
  • State News
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Content
  • Subscribe
Subscribe For $2.50/month
Print Editions
Salem Times Register
  • News Categories
    • Local Stories
    • School
    • Church
    • Sports
    • State News
    • National News
    • Courthouse
      • Deeds
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Legals
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Southern Baptist
  • eEdition
  • Classifieds
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Login
  • faq
No Result
View All Result
Salem Times Register
No Result
View All Result
Salem Times Register
No Result
View All Result

Should referendum be held on marijuana outlets in Salem?

Mountain Media, LLC by Mountain Media, LLC
August 12, 2021
in Local Stories
0
0
SHARES
28
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Property owner Angela Lieb addresses Salem City Council Monday night regarding complaints on a fiber company digging on private property without telling owners in advance. Photo by Meg Hibbert.

By Meg Hibbert Contributing Writer

Should a referendum be held on permitting marijuana outlets in Salem? That was the topic of Salem City Council’s work session Aug. 9.

City Attorney Jim Guynn summarized what’s in the Virginia’s Cannabis Control Act that will regulate the sale of marijuana. In April Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law the act that establishes a new state authority that will oversee and issue business licenses to sell marijuana beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

Guynn explained if Council wants, the city could hold a local referendum, perhaps as early as the November general election, on whether citizens want marijuana dispensaries. 

Under the state law, localities have the power to petition the circuit court for the city or county to issue a referendum on whether to allow retail marijuana. 

Salem could also change zoning and land use ordinances to regulate where businesses licensed to sell marijuana could be located in the city, and has the power to fix hours for sales.

Suggested wording for a referendum is confusing, Guynn pointed out, because “A No vote is actually in favor of allowing marijuana stores.”

If a majority of voters vote Yes not to allow stores, another referendum can be held four years later, Guynn said.

If Salem does not hold a referendum to prohibit marijuana stores, they will automatically be allowed, he explained.

Council members mentioned that if Salem doesn’t allow marijuana sales, the city will miss out on tax revenue from business and sales taxes. Guynn said there will be up to 400 marijuana retail shops statewide

“My guess is the City of Roanoke is not going to have a referendum,” the city attorney said.

Councilman Randy Foley said he has always been anti-referendum. “That’s why we’re elected, to make decisions,” he said.

In answer to questions from Councilmembers, Guynn said he was not aware of any other jurisdiction in this part of the state that has set a referendum.

“This discussion is food for thought. Let me know if you are going to a referendum, zoning or not,” he said.

In other matters on the agenda at the regular Aug. 9 meeting, Council:

  • Heard from property owner Angela Lieb during the Citizen Comment period, who said the lower floor of her triplex flooded because a fiber company cut water and sewer lines to the house. It took from March until the end of May to clean up around the home, she said. “I don’t want to see this happen to other people.” She added, “Beware, they usually come to your property after people have gone to work.”
  • On second reading, passed rezoning for Preston Place – the former White Oak Tea Tavern building owned by the Salem Historical Society – to be used as a massage therapy business; as well as 
  • Rezoned properties at East Main Street and Dalewood Avenue to allow an enclosed storage business;
  • Authorized the city to be fiscal agent for Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy which leases a city-owned building, and Court-Community Corrections;
  • Re-appropriated $40,000 for a 3/4-ton sewer vehicle that was not available last fiscal year;
  • Approved the fiscal year 2022 performance contract with Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare.

The Council meeting in Salem Council Chambers in City Hall ended at 6:51 p.m.

 

Sign up to our newsletter

Enter your email address to receive weekly emails.

You will receive a confirmation email for your subscription. Please check your inbox and spam folder to complete the confirmation process.
Some fields are missing or incorrect!
Lists
Previous Post

Local attorney sworn in as Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association President

Next Post

Salem School Superintendent Dr. Alan Seibert to retire after 30 years of service 

Next Post
Salem School Superintendent Dr. Alan Seibert to retire after 30 years of service 

Salem School Superintendent Dr. Alan Seibert to retire after 30 years of service 

  • National News
  • State News
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Content
  • Subscribe
Questions? Call us at 304-647-5724

  • Login
Forgot Password?
Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.
body::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 7px; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-track { border-radius: 10px; background: #f0f0f0; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { border-radius: 50px; background: #dfdbdb }
No Result
View All Result
  • News Categories
    • Local Stories
    • School
    • Church
    • Sports
    • State News
    • National News
    • Courthouse
      • Deeds
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Legals
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Southern Baptist
  • eEdition
  • Classifieds
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Login
  • faq