First reading of cannabis license ban passes

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(June 9, 2023) A push to ensure cannabis products cannot be sold or consumed in establishments across Ocean City is on track for approval before the statewide legalization of recreational marijuana on July 1.

At a meeting Monday, City Council members unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance that will effectively ban on-premises cannabis consumption licenses. The council also voted to establish penalties — fines of $25 to $1,000 — for violation of the future ordinance.

Council members discussed the measure at a work session last week and agreed they wanted to ensure resort businesses will not be allowed to sell cannabis products, or allow them on their properties.

The Cannabis Reform Bill passed by the General Assembly last session legalizes recreational marijuana statewide. However, municipalities, such as Ocean City, can enact laws to regulate use and consumption. Along with the ordinance headed toward approval, officials can enact changes to the zoning code that would control how far away from places such as schools, parks and churches people can use cannabis products.

Mayor Rick Meehan clarified during Monday’s meeting that the effort to ban on-premises cannabis licenses has no bearing on existing laws against smoking on the Boardwalk and other places in city limits where all types of smoking are prohibited.

“This is prohibiting [licensing] of on-premises consumption,” Meehan explained. “I think some took it as … we were then going to be allowing it in other public areas such as the beach and the Boardwalk … That’s not true. None of our policies on the beach and Boardwalk have changed.”

The ordinance will move now to a second reading and, presumably, final approval.

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McGean also clarified that the overhaul of the entire sign system will be separate from the signs approved Monday. The incoming signs will be used for emergency messaging, event promotion and local advertising.

Before the vote, several council members also questioned the placement of the signs, and expressed a desire to ensure they do not create a lot of interruption for residents, especially on the quieter, northern parts of the Boardwalk.

Perlozzo assured that they will be angled away from windows and timed to not run all night. He also agreed to have staff look into spacing the signs out more along the higher numbered streets.

A rendering shows plans for an alley that runs through the Majestic Hotel on the Boardwalk. City Council members have approved the first reading of a request from the new owner to abandon air rights over a portion of the throughway as part of plans to redevelop the property.