After more than 1,000 days of waiting, Hamilton City Council has voted to change the city's rules around cannabis dispensaries.Council adopted a pair of ordinances Wednesday that pave the way for recreational marijuana businesse s to operate in Hamilton for the first time since Ohio voters legalized adult-use cannabis in 2023.WATCH: Hamilton Community Manager David Stark discusses the ordinances ahead of Wednesday's meeting Hamilton City Council to vote on cannabis dispensary rules that could end years-long banSupporters say the move could bring new economic opportunities and tax revenue to the city, while city leaders say the process has taken time to make sure any potential dispensaries are carefully regulated.What the ordinances will doThe city is considering two separate pieces of legislation on Wednesday night.The first would update Hamilton's zoning code to define where cannabis dispensaries could operate and establish a conditional use application process.The second ordinance would lift Hamilton's existing moratorium on dispensaries and update the city's business code.Both measures must pass before a dispensary can legally open in Hamilton.Hamilton Planning Director Lauren Nelson said the zoning proposal came after years of research and conversations with communities that already have dispensaries."What has informed this process is a lot of due diligence and research on staff's end in terms of best practices from a zoning perspective," Nelson said. "Also, communication with other communities that have dispensaries."WATCH: Hamilton could end a years-long ban on cannabis dispensaries. Here's how Hamilton city council to vote on cannabis dispensary rules that could end banWhere dispensaries could goUnder the proposed zoning rules, dispensaries would only be allowed in two of Hamilton's commercial zoning districts.They would not be permitted: Within 1,000 feet of schools or child care centers. Within 500 feet of libraries. Inside any of Hamilton's three historic districts. Adjacent to residential areas.Nelson said the goal was to create a process that allows potential businesses while giving residents opportunities to weigh in."The proposal does not allow a dispensary by right anywhere in the city," Nelson said. "It allows them through a conditional use process."That means any business seeking to open a dispensary would need to submit an application, go before the Planning Commission and ultimately receive approval from City Council.The process would include public hearings, and property owners within 500 feet of a proposed dispensary location would receive notification.Supporters point to economic opportunityFor Hamilton resident and Artspace Hamilton Community Manager David Stark, the timing is right. WCPO spoke to Stark ahead of Wednesday's vote."It's now been almost 1,000 days since the citizens of the state of Ohio voted for recreational marijuana, and a majority here in Hamilton, Ohio, voted for it too," Stark said.Hamilton has maintained a moratorium on cannabis dispensaries since shortly after Ohio voters approved Issue 2 in November 2023.Stark said he understands why city leaders took their time reviewing the issue, but believes Hamilton is ready to take advantage of a growing industry."While our leaders have been commendably thorough in considering this opportunity, it means we're arriving possibly a little late to the free money-making pot party," Stark said. "But I believe that Hamilton is still very well primed and suited."Stark said the biggest benefit for Hamilton could be the economic impact.He pointed to Ohio's marijuana Community Host Fund, which provides local communities with a portion of the tax revenue generated from legal cannabis sales."For starters, there is the money," Stark said. "The marijuana Community Host Fund, through that the state of Ohio gives out 36% of the 10% excise tax on all legal sales. That's an awfully great return on investment considering that all you have to invest here is merely the permission for a dispensary to operate."Stark said he believes Hamilton could eventually benefit beyond just retail sales, pointing to the city's infrastructure and resources.He said Hamilton could potentially become a player in cannabis cultivation in the future, though Wednesday's vote is focused on dispensaries.What happens nextAlthough both ordinances passed, cannabis businesses will still need to go through Hamilton's conditional use process before opening.Nelson said the city's approach was designed to create a framework before any individual business seeks approval."Should council be approving the zoning, then they also need to sort of approve this secondary piece of legislation, which allows this in our business code and lifts the current moratorium," Nelson said.This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. 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