POCOMOKE CITY, Md. -- Pocomoke officials began talks about the future of pot at a town council meeting on Monday, September 18th. The town is considering a six month to one year moratorium.
The moratorium would encompass all aspects of cannabis businesses, meaning dispensaries and on-site consumption as well as growing and processing facilities. But, Michelle Beckett, the city clerk, said even if the moratorium passes, some businesses could be welcomed before others.
"Growing and processing and things like that would be a little more easily accepted, a little more cut and dry," said Beckett. "But the other parts definitely need more discussion and more time to be reviewed."
It all means the streets of Pocomoke may not include a cannabis business for quite some time. For William Ward, who works and lives in Pocomoke, it's a bit disheartening.
"I don't see a reason why not besides maybe like outdated ideals," said Ward.
Other neighbors like Dawn Bloxom are a bit more in the middle, but can see the economic potential the cannabis industry could bring to Pocomoke.
"We are looking for businesses, we're looking for investors and we need something to draw people to Pocomoke," said Bloxom.
Beckett said the town is considering the moratorium to buy time.
"We just want to have the extra time or a little extra time to go ahead and see how things flush out in other communities, what the pros are and what the cons are," said Beckett.
But some neighbors would prefer the town be open to it now. Ward said for those who use cannabis, he'd like to see their money spent closer to home versus in Salisbury or Ocean City.
"If you live in Pocomoke and you want to go somewhere to a dispensary you have to drive like half and hour or 45 minutes," said Ward. "Maybe it's the type of business they don't really appreciate, but business is business and traffic is traffic."
Nothing is official yet and a decision is not expected to be made at Monday night's meeting. A public hearing and second reading, if needed, still have to happen before a final vote.