Snohomish bans recreational marijuana shops

SNOHOMISH — The City Council on Tuesday agreed with NOPE, an organization that fought for No Operational Pot Enterprises, and voted to ban recreational marijuana sales, production and processing in the city.

Dozens of people filled the council chambers to speak on the issue. Several supporters of a ban asked the council to protect the city’s “character” by keeping recreational pot out.

“We’d rather it not be in our little Mayberry,” said Melissa Stitt. “Let’s keep Snohomish Snohomish.”

Bob McGowan, a Snohomish resident who owns R. Gleason Finishing in Monroe, organized NOPE.

“I have a personal vendetta against the drug,” said McGowan. “Marijuana seems like it’s so benign that it’s not a threat, but that is a major stumbling block to the reality of the consequences of using it.”

McGowan, 59, started the NOPE movement by taking a yellow pad of paper around to his neighbors, asking them to sign a petition supporting the pot ban. Eventually, he and others collected almost 350 signatures, although most of the people who signed do not live in Snohomish.

NOPE members recruited business owners and church leaders to speak about their cause at city public hearings. At the one Tuesday, there was standing room only.

“We need to fight the battle against drugs together,” McGowan told the crowd, wearing a NOPE t-shirt.

He said his use of marijuana as a teen led him to harder drugs. After an overdose at 18, he said, he stopped using. Now, McGowan wants to prevent young people from falling into the same trap.

Many people and a few Snohomish High School students expressed concern about the effect of selling the drug in local stores might have on children. But others disagreed.

Amy Buddie said the prohibition would only prevent responsible adults from buying pot. She and her husband, Jason, were among the few parents to speak in opposition to the ban on Tuesday.

“This law doesn’t keep marijuana out of the hands of your children — you do,” she said.

Morgan Davis, who regularly attends City Council meetings, also opposed the ban, calling it a “half-baked ordinance.” Davis was later escorted out of the meeting by the police chief. He continued to clap and comment after people spoke, despite Mayor Karen Guzak repeatedly asking him to be quiet.

But Davis wasn’t thrown out before he had the chance to question the mayor about her newfound support of pot prohibition. Guzak previously has favored allowing recreational marijuana in the city.

She said she changed her mind on the issue after meeting with five people from Snohomish. She was swayed by listening to the concerns of that group and others who spoke at the public hearings.

“I simply could not find enough positives to support it,” she said.

The pot issue has drawn the largest crowds at council meetings in at least three years, Guzak said.

After almost two hours of debate, the council prohibited pot in the city with a 4-3 vote.

Councilmen Derrick Burke, Tom Hamilton and Michael Rohrscheib opposed the ban. Burke said he was worried that the city was missing an opportunity to curb the negative effects of marijuana by not allowing the legal system.

“I’m genuinely concerned that we’re making the wrong decision by not implementing this fully,” he said. “I’m not convinced we’re going to make it better by sticking our heads in the sand.”

Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three seriously injured after head-on collision on Highway 522

The crash between Monroe and Maltby happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.