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Marijuana Regulation Passed by Bethel City Council

Adrian Wagner

In a unanimous decision, Bethel City Council passed its first-ever commercial marijuana regulation.

The new ordinance, which governs the growing, selling and consumption of marijuana, would regulate a nascent industry that could open the city to an entirely new tax revenue stream.

Unlike alcohol licenses, there is no limit to the number of licenses the city will provide to marijuana growers and retailers. Council Member Zach Fansler, who proposed the ordinance helped drafted it, said the original version would have capped licenses.

The city's advertising policy was also amended by the council before approval. The original ordinance sought to prevent retailers from advertising on the Internet and targeting specific groups of people. But Mayor Rick Rob called for removing this section, citing a possible First Amendment violation.

After much discussion, the council amended a third section to read, “It shall be illegal to consume marijuana in vehicle,” which applies to both driver and passenger.

In another section, the ordinance clarifies that grow operations can be run on delivered city water, but the city is not liable for missed deliveries. Fansler said this is an effort to curb the city's responsibility in case a delivery is missed and a crop harmed as a result.

All members of the council were present and on time for the meeting with Leif Albertson calling in by phone. The meeting ended at midnight with all members in attendance.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said that water would not be delivered by the city, which it will.