Oregon voters approved recreational marijuana last fall, but not every city is ready for pot sales to begin on October 1st. The City of Albany decided to temporarily halt recreational sales at medical dispensaries.
This week Albany City Councilors voted a resounding no to recreational pot sales. The decision came at a well-attended city council meeting where many voiced their opposition to the vote.
City Manager Wes Hare says the ban is only temporary.
Hare: “The only way a permanent ban can be enacted is by a vote of the people. The Council, at least to my knowledge, has not said anything about a permanent ban.”
Hare does not know if the council will call for a public vote. For now, the ban on recreational marijuana sales at medical dispensaries is in effect until the end of 2016. That’s when the state will begin issuing licenses to recreational pot retailers.
At least 20 other Oregon counties and cities have made a similar decision.
