Following a discussion meeting on Thursday attended by a large group of citizens, Yellowstone County Commissioners agreed to their request to reconsider putting the issue of recreational or non-medical marijuana on the ballot for consideration by all voters in Yellowstone County.
At their meeting on Tuesday the commissioners approved a resolution to hold a public hearing on Tuesday, December 14, 9:30 am to gather public input and consider putting the issue on the ballot.
The resolution states that the commissioners “previously indicated that it would consider any additional information regarding the legalization of marijuana in making a determination whether to prohibit marijuana operations” in the county. It says that the commissioners consider the overwhelming rejection of allowing its sale or distribution within the city limits of Billings on Nov. 2, as additional information.
In early August, with one county commissioner, Denis Pitman, absent, county commissioners Don Jones and John Ostlund had a split vote about whether to hold a special election for voters to consider prohibiting the sale of recreational marijuana in the county. The tie resulted in the failure of the motion.
In the discussions on Thursday there were comments made that suggested that the ballot issue the commissioners would put before voters could include all seven aspects of the growing, manufacturing, research and sale of marijuana.
The state law which enacts a successful initiative to legalize the production and sale of recreational marijuana allows cities and counties to place the matter before local voters.
The County Commissioners also on Tuesday approved temporary interim regulations that will govern the industry when the state law becomes effective on January 1.
