As Georgetown prepares to vote on recreational marijuana laws, public opinion is mixed

The Georgetown City Council held a public hearing Tuesday on two proposed recreational marijuana ordinances as several other Sussex County cities impose outright bans on the incoming industry.

The proposals would include the creation of two recreational clinics within city limits, as well as one cultivation, one production and one research facility.

The Georgetown Planning Commission voted against the ordinances in January, but the final decision rests with the city council, led by Mayor Bill West, who believes adopting the regulations could benefit current users.

“It’s here. People are using it and it’s not causing problems. So let’s be open and consider every possibility – if you write letters and tell us what you think, and every letter you write will be forwarded to every council member so that we can communicate with them read it and determine what its content is the best way to get here,” West said.

Public comments were largely mixed, with some residents expressing health and safety concerns, while others argued that allowing recreational activities would help control the illicit market and provide safer products.

Council member Angela Townsend says she doesn’t mind the use of medical marijuana, but strongly opposes its recreational use.

“I’m definitely against it, which doesn’t really matter because it’s my last match. But I hope that whoever takes my seat, whoever is sitting here, will also do their research and vote against it, because I am completely against it.

Townsend decided to forgo his bid for re-election to the city council to run for mayor against West, but lost to him earlier this month.

The other three council members did not speak during the meeting, but the ordinance will be officially introduced at the next council meeting in two weeks.