A new medical marijuana dispensary and a ceramics shop to open
By Zandra Johnson
On Wednesday, Sept. 19, Troy City Council held their regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m at 301 E. Kootenai Ave. Members present included Crystal Denton, TJ Boswell, and Chuck Ekstedt. Shawna Kelsey was absent. City Clerk, Tracy Rebo and Mayor, Dallas Carr were also present at the meeting.
Extra chairs were brought in due to the high public attendance level.
Budget claims were looked over, and Mayor Carr informed attendees that the city donated $2,500 towards the new one-way street design for part of Morrison Elementary. Work on setting up the new drop off/pick up zone is expected to begin during the first part of October. City council members highlighted that two police cruisers received new tires. The council approved minutes from past budget meetings, work meetings and regular council meetings as well.
Approval of new business licenses were on the table for discussion. First was Stone Clay Works, a pottery and ceramic shop offering lessons and more. Owner Rhonda Stone brought examples of some artwork able to be completed with the materials and tools she would offer that would include a pottery wheel and kiln. The result of firing painted clay in a kiln is a glossy, almost glass-like finish. In addition to that, Stone would offer acrylic paints as an alternative way to decorate pieces.
Stone said, “Stone Clay Works is a place where people can learn to relax by working with clay. There are people in the area who are quite artistic and don’t have anywhere to do their stuff. I want to provide that service.” Troy City Council voted unanimously to grant Stonoe her business license. Stone Clay Works is located at 809 E. Missoula #9, in Troy.
The second new business license for council review was Alternative ReLeaf LLC. A medical marijuana dispensary, owned by Jon Meister. On the business license application it reads, “no cultivation,” which means they would not grow the medicinal marijuana distributed to patients.
A doctor recommends medical marijuana as a possible form of treatment when dealing with a number of conditions. According to safeaccessnow.org those can include, but are not limited to, cancer, glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or an intractable seizure disorder. Patients have an application process that includes the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
Many citizens at the council meeting were there to voice their comments and concerns about the subject of this new business license. Some were there in support, and some were there to oppose the idea of a medical marijuana dispensary in the city limits of Troy.
Discussion ranged from opponents worried about higher crime rates and product distributed falling into the wrong hands, to people on the fence about it, and supporters voicing the hope of relief for patients in our area.
As stated at the meeting multiple times, marijuana in all forms is still federally illegal. Local governments are handed the reigns to either vote yes or no to businesses looking to open in city limits. When a motion to approve the business license of Alternative ReLeaf LLC was made, it passed with a 2 to 1 vote.
The opening date and location of Alternative ReLeaf LLC in Troy remains undecided.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at 301 E. Kootenai Ave.