marijuana stock photo

HERMISTON — The Hermiston City Council voted 7-1 during its meeting Monday evening, March 25, to take no action on drafting and submitting a commercial cannabis measure for voters’ consideration on the November ballot.

Hermiston voters affirmed a local ban on commercial marijuana sales in 2017 after a statewide measure legalized marijuana sales and use in 2014, according to a statement from the city. The council in 2023 discussed bringing a measure to Hermiston voters as part of the city’s potential tax revenue options.

The city reported representatives from the Hermiston School Board, Umatilla School Board, Good Shepherd Health System Board and the Good Shepherd Community Foundation Board spoke at the March 25 meeting against a measure because of the negative effects marijuana uses has on youth and public health.

Several other individuals testified in favor and against a ballot measure.

Though the city will not pursue a ballot measure, residents can initiate petitions during even-numbered years. According to the city, a chief petitioner would need to collect approximately 1,625 signatures from Hermiston residents before June 7 to get a measure on the November ballot.

The full city council meeting and discussion is online at shorturl.at/gqBDL.