Details are released on Hermiston cannabis decision
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 27th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – (News release from the city of Hermiston) The Hermiston City Council voted 7-1 during Monday’s regular meeting to take no action on drafting and submitting a commercial cannabis measure for voters’ consideration on the November ballot.
Hermiston voters affirmed a local ban on commercial marijuana sales in 2017 after a statewide measure legalized marijuana sales and use in 2014. The concept of bringing a measure to Hermiston voters was discussed again in 2023 as part of the city’s potential tax revenue options.
During open public comment at Monday’s meeting, representatives from the Hermiston School Board, Umatilla School Board, Good Shepherd Health System Board, and the Good Shepherd Community Foundation Board spoke against a measure because of marijuana use’s negative impact on youth and public health. Several other individuals testified in favor and against a ballot measure.
Though the city will not pursue a ballot measure, citizen initiative petitions are available to residents during even-numbered years. A chief petitioner would need to collect approximately 1,625 signatures from Hermiston residents before June 7 to get a measure on the November 2024 ballot.
Editor’s note: The one vote in opposition of taking no action was cast by Councilwoman Nancy Peterson.
