During a recent council meeting in Lewis, officials discussed the potential regulation of marijuana-related businesses within the city. The council is considering scheduling a public hearing to deliberate on an ordinance that could either regulate or temporarily prohibit the operation of marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, testing facilities, and retail storage.

The council emphasized the flexibility of their options, noting that they could take immediate action, set a public hearing, or choose to do nothing. If no action is taken, the city would be required to issue retail licenses for marijuana sales, as the state classifies these operations as retail. This could lead to unregulated marijuana sales within the city limits.

Council members expressed concern about the implications of inaction, highlighting that without local regulations, the city would be vulnerable to unrestricted marijuana retail operations. The discussion underscored the urgency for the council to address the issue to ensure that any future marijuana-related businesses align with the community's standards and regulations.