Downtown Ketchikan. (KRBD file photo)
A proposed ban on retail pot in Ketchikan’s downtown core is on Thursday’s Ketchikan City Council agenda.
The item was requested by Council Member Dick Coose, who expressed concern at the April 21st meeting that cruise passengers would try to carry marijuana purchased downtown on board the ships, which could get them kicked off.
According to a memo from City Attorney Mitch Seaver, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough is in charge of zoning regulations. Currently, the borough’s zoning rules regarding marijuana allow some retail operations within walking distance of the cruise dock.
While the city could ban retail pot within all of city limits, Seaver writes that it is not clear whether the city is allowed to pick certain segments of the city to ban marijuana sales. There is some case law that supports the possibility, but, he writes, the easiest course of action would be to ask the borough to amend its marijuana zoning regulations.
The Council will discuss the issue, and could provide direction to city management on Thursday. There is no recommended motion.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Council chambers. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
