Continuous News

City Council delays action on medical marijuana sales ban and budget

Posted: Jun 13, 2011 11:11 PM by Amanda Venegas

BILLINGS - The debate over medical marijuana and the budget dominated conversations tonight at the Billings City Council meeting. Council members considered an emergency ordinance to ban the sale of medical marijuana in storefronts in the city. In the end, a majority of the council voted to delay the issue two weeks, while it looks to a judge in Lewis and Clark County to make a decision.

The group Safe Communities, Safe Kids came to the council asking for an emergency ordinance. Under Senate Bill 423, the act gives local jurisdictions the authority to regulate the industry. SB 423 becomes law on July first, however, a medical marijuana advocacy group has filed a preliminary injunction in Lewis and Clark County. A decision is expected next week. If the council passed the ordinance, it would have been the only city to enact such an ordinance and possibly could have faced litigation.

The council also looked at approving the overall budget, but decided to delay action for another two weeks to allow residents to discuss important issues like street maintenance, snow removal.

Community conversations about parks, streets and trail will be held this week.
The meetings are: Tuesday at 5:30 at the Boothill Inn and Suites, Wednesday at 11:30 a.m at the Garfield Center and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the St. John's Kathy Lillis Chapel.

The council also approved the finalization of a land swap between the city, Billings Clinic and Stockman Bank to make way for a potential new library.