County Commission starts discussing medical marijuana

The Lincoln County Commission at its Jan. 3 meeting began what it anticipates will be ongoing discussions about how the county might address the regulation of medical marijuana.

“I want to start talking about it and not wait three years to make a decision,” said Commissioner Jerry Bennett, who put the topic on the agenda and whose district includes the medical marijuana dispensary Alternative Releaf located on Highway 2 outside of Libby city limits. “We need to set guidelines of how this is going to be handled in our county.”

Currently, Lincoln County has no ordinance or policy dealing with such dispensaries. The Libby City Council in late September voted down an ordinance that would have allowed dispensaries to be located within Libby city limits, an ordinance that was hashed out in committee meetings and based on recommendations previously made by the city planning board.

Joining in the Jan. 3 discussion were Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe and Undersheriff Brandon Huff, as well as Maggie Anderson of Lincoln County Unite for Youth, to discuss the potential ramifications on law enforcement and youth.

In a phone interview Monday, Bennett said crafting a policy or ordinance “is eventually what we want to look at.”

“Basically, if we don’t at least discuss it, then we’re going to be reactionary,” he said.

As of Monday, the next discussion had not yet been scheduled.