Hermiston school board discusses cannabis
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – At an earlier Hermiston City Council meeting about finding new revenue streams, citizens suggested that the city should consider legalizing cannabis businesses. Hermiston chose not to legalize those businesses when the legalization of marijuana was approved. Cities and counties who had voted in opposition to the move were allowed to determine if they would let the businesses operate.
The city is feeling out several groups as well as the public in general about how they feel regarding allowing marijuana businesses and collecting the taxes they are required to pay. One of those is the Hermiston School District Board of Directors. Assistant Superintendent Jake Bacon said it’s an important conversation to have.
“What the (board’s) conversation focused on is do we want to provide and support more opportunities for access,” Bacon said.
He said he’s proud of the city for opening the issue up for public conversations.
“Everybody’s got different beliefs on where that falls,” he said.
Bacon reported that the school board’s conversation on the matter focused on kids and kids’ safety. Meanwhile, he said the rest of the community can share their own feelings about the issue.
