FINDLAY, Ohio — Northwest Ohio communities are preparing to sell marijuana. Issue 2 passed last year and recreational marijuana is slowly becoming available around the state.
Findlay resident Chris Caldwell says tax revenue from marijuana sales could benefit the city "whether you're talking roads, schools, updating infrastructure."
But some communities, like Findlay, want to put a temporary ban on those sales.
Mayor Christina Muryn is considering a moratorium on sale in the city, saying she wants to get additional regulations and guidance from the state before the cultivation or dispensing of marijuana.
"I don't think it's a hard no. We need to make an informed decision," she said.
Caldwell says area leadership should consider an important question when deciding on how to approach recreational sales.
"Findlay, Hancock County just has to ask a question. Do you want to be ahead of this curve? Or do you want to be behind it?" he said.
A majority of Hancock County voters decided against Issue 2 back in November. But most Findlay residents voted for it.
"I think that anybody who voted for it also wants to make sure we do it in a wise fashion," Muryn said. "That's our approach as a community and we definitely will have opportunities for engagement."
Ohio State University projects by year five of the adult-use marijuana program in Ohio, the state could collect up to about $400 dollars in tax revenue.
Some of those tax dollars could reach city governments. But Muryn says it's not just about the money.
"I think the tax revenue would be great, but money is not the only decision-making factor," she said.
Caldwell urges Findlay residents to find common ground, especially with marijuana in the equation.
"If we're willing to have that genuine, honest, open, earnest exchange with one another as American citizens, as grown adults, as friendly Findlay community members, we can figure it out," he said.