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TRI-COUNTY PRESS

Your Community Press newspaper serving Evendale, Glendale, Sharonville, Springdale, Wyoming

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2016

BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS

Wyoming scrutinizes zoning to keep out medical marijuana Kelly McBride kmcbride@communitypress.com

The passage of an Ohio House bill to legalize medical marijuana has started the clock for municipalities that want to regulate those sales. Although the rules for growing and dispensing the drug are still being developed, Wyoming officials are examining the city’s zoning laws to make sure medical marijuana is not sold there. The Committee of the Whole met in late June to discuss the issue, and decided to examine it in more depth among one or more specialized committees, though those groups were not identified. Whichever committee is chosen, one thing was certain: council members want to keep the dispensaries out of Wyoming. HB 523 was signed June 8, with an effective date of Sept. 6, though details about how medical marijuana would be licensed, cultivated and dispensed are still being worked out. It established a Medical Marijuana Control Commission, which will administer the Medical Marijuana Control Program. The program will allow patients, with a physician’s recommendation, to use medical marijuana for a qualifying medical condition. The patient, any caregivers and the physician must be registered through the program. Personal use of medical marijuana is not allowed, and it can’t be smoked or used in any combustible way. It will be available through oils, tinctures, plant materials, edibles and patches. The program also specifies that it can’t be made or sold in a way that’s attractive to children. The zoning of dispensaries has been left up to local municipalities, but none can be located within 1,000 feet of a school, church, public library, public park or public playground. Those regulations also apply to cultivators, processors and laboratories. While marijuana is classified as a schedule 1 controlled substance, medi-

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Sugar Run to honor Ray Britton Kelly McBride kmcbride@communitypress.com

A fundraiser named in honor of Ray Britton will benefit two of the Sharonville man’s favorites: riding motorcycles and helping kids. The first-ever Sugar Run Aug. 20 will raise money for CancerFree Kids, a nonprofit that funds research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, among other research institutions. Funds raised through the ride will go to research at Cincinnati Children’s. Fliers announcing the event featuring Britton’s photo explains the purpose of the ride: “To keep Sugar’s motorcycles and memory in the wind. “I know in Sugar’s mind, the No. 1 reason for the ride would be to raise money for children’s cancer research here at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The money does stay local,” his brother, Ed Britton, wrote on the flyer. Britton, nicknamed Sugar Ray, died suddenly last summer, after spending years organizing a similar ride to benefit the Spina Bifida Coalition of Cincinnati. That ride, which takes place each year during SharonFest, began several years ago, in honor of Baylee Meyer of Sharonville. “There was an instant connection,” Kelly Meyer, Baylee’s mother, said of Britton. “Ray is one of those people See BRITTON, Page 2A

TREVOR HUGHES/USA TODAY

Trevor Hughes/USA TODAYLegislation in Congress would let Veterans Affairs doctors recommend marijuana to patients. A greenhouse filled with medical marijuana growing in Denver.

cal marijuana has been classified as a schedule 2. This means it has no currently acceptable medical use or safety process, and has a high risk of abuse. Wyoming officials will examine the city’s zoning laws, which allow retailers to sell “goods,” Solicitor Emily Supinger explained during the Committee of the Whole meeting, which included members of City Council, along with several other public officials. That wording may not prohibit dispensaries, Supinger said, explaining that zoning regulations could be amended to exclude the dispensing of medical mari-

juana as a permitted use. The city could also issue a six-month moratorium, to allow time to study the issue further and pass a zoning code amendment. During that time, changes would be identified, a commission recommendation would be made to City Council, a public hearing would be held, and City Council would vote on the ordinance. Sharonville has not yet discussed the issue, but Planning Director Richard Osgood said he’s not aware of any proposal to prohibit local businesses from dispensing medical marijuana.

THANKS TO ED BRITTON

Ray Britton’s favorite motorcycle was this 1997 Harley Davidson Heritage Springer Classic. His brother Ed Britton will ride it in the Sugar Run on Aug. 20 in Ray’s honor.

Sharonville searching for beautiful properties Kelly McBride kmcbride@communitypress.com

THANKS TO CITY OF SHARONVILLE

A Sharonville program will present awards to notable residential and commercial properties.

COURTING SUCCESS Which tennis, volleyball teams are in best position to show net gains this season? See Sports, 1B.

Sharonville will recognize notable properties with an annual program that promotes beautification. The Sharonville Community Development program is designed to build pride and recognize residents and businesses that stand out. Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 15 through the Sharonville website, www.sharonville.org,

or at the municipal building. Voting begins Aug. 19, and is open to the public. After the Aug. 31 voting deadline, winners will be honored during the Sept. 13 City Council meeting. The public will determine half of the score, with the other from a committee of city officials. Categories include: materials, colors and textures, architectural details and elements, landscaping, approaches or drives, and lighting. “The program was created

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so the city could honor residents and businesses who enhance the community through property beautification,” Charlie Gonzalez, a city intern, said of the new program. “We are hoping it will encourage civic engagement and community participation, as well as encourage more businesses and residents to enhance their property in the future.”