2-06-2025 10:09pm

Marijuana Dispensaries Within Mason City Limits

Beth Callahan Editor

by David Williams

What’s Happening?

On Monday, February 10, Mason City Council will hold the first reading of Ordinance 2025-11, a proposed zoning change that would permit marijuana dispensaries within Mason city limits in designated business districts (see attached map).

Under the current zoning laws, if this ordinance is approved, a drive-thru dispensary could also be allowed at that site, according to Mayor Nelson at the Planning Committee meeting on February 4. Additionally, these businesses would have the right to put up billboards and signage of their choosing—protected under free speech laws. Can you imagine a sign near our neighborhoods reading:

"Mason—Your Destination for Getting High"?

Why This Should Concern You

Increased Crime & Safety Risks
- With easy access to I-71, Mason already experiences car break-ins, thefts, and criminals on the run seeking shelter in residential areas.
- Dispensaries attract more crime, both as robbery targets and as magnets for drug dealers looking to introduce more harmful substances, like fentanyl, to recreational users.
Traffic Dangers & DUIs
- I have personally had my cars totaled twice since moving here, and we hear far too often about serious pedestrian and auto accidents in our community.
- Since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Ohio, I have noticed the smell of cannabis frequently at gas stations and parking lots, meaning more people are using it—many while driving.
- Marijuana impairs reaction time and cognitive function, increasing the risk of fatal accidents.
Increased Use & Mental Health Concerns
- More accessibility leads to more usage. Just as the internet made pornography easier to access—driving up addiction and negative societal impacts—the same holds true for marijuana.
- More studies now link marijuana use to psychosis. A recent Wall Street Journal articlenoted that while marijuana is at least as harmful as alcohol, we still don’t fully understand its long-term effects, which could be even worse.
Damage to Our Property Values & Community Reputation
- We did not move to Mason to be surrounded by strip clubs, adult bookstores, payday loan shops, or pawn shops—all of which contribute to declining property values and increased crime.
- Dispensaries do not belong in our city—let alone in our backyard.

What You Can Do

We need to take action NOW to protect our neighborhoods:

Attend the Mason City Council Meeting on Monday, February 10 for the first reading of the ordinance.
Prepare to speak out against the ordinance at the public hearing on March 10. We can support one another by preparing talking points if needed.

Please make every effort to attend these meetings and make your voice heard. Together, we can protect our families, our neighborhood, and the future of Mason.

Thank you for your time and support in this critical matter.