Only a week after setting its regulations and zoning for operation of marijuana businesses, the Everett City Council may be asked to reconsider one aspect of the rules: the rejection of a proposed 1,000-foot buffer between retail cannabis shops and churches.
During council deliberations last week such a buffer was rejected in a 4-2 vote, with council members Paul Roberts, Brenda Stonecipher, Judy Tuohy and Scott Bader voting against the addition of churches to a list of sensitive locations, such as schools, day-care centers and parks from which marijuana businesses would have to be set back. Council members Jeff Moore and Scott Murphy voted in favor of adding churches to the buffer list.
The issue may return to the council agenda at its meeting at 6:30 tonight at the council chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave.
While it’s admirable for the council to be responsive to its community, we don’t see the need to reconsider the issue. Those who voted against it, Roberts and Stonecipher in particular, gave clear and sound reasons for their vote.
Those who sought to protect churches from marijuana businesses, more specifically the children who attend churches, are sincere in their opposition. But further restricting what is now considered by state law a legitimate and legal business raises concerns not just for those businesses but for churches themselves.
In order to restrict retail, production and processing businesses from being sited near churches, the city would have to begin defining what a church is. Churches currently are not required to obtain a business license. The city has no practical way of knowing where churches are located in order to make clear where cannabis businesses could locate.
Stonecipher knows of at least one downtown business whose owner is the pastor of a fellowship that meets in the business’ basement. We doubt that many churches or other religious groups would favor a change to city regulations that would require them to obtain a business license. In exchange for a buffer zone, are churches willing to give up a protection under their First Amendment rights?
Just mapping out buffer zones that account for the mainstream churches would severely limit possible locations for these businesses. Had churches been included, at least one prospective business that is seeking a city permit would have been denied operating at its proposed location.
Marijuana businesses, with strict rules such as requiring ID before entry, can be easily equated with those that sell alcohol; they shouldn’t be expected to meet a higher standard for a business license than a convenience store selling beer, wine and spirits.
The desire to protect children is understandable, but those who oppose marijuana shops should consider that keeping these businesses visible and accountable is the best way to protect kids. Otherwise the marijuana market is left to those who can sell anywhere, to anyone, regardless of age.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
