The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
45°F
Current Conditions
Clear sky
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Spokane County Commission to hear feedback on pot farm ordinance

Patrick Bang, co-owner of Bang’s Cannabis Company smells the bud of a maturing organically-grown marijuana plant at a rural farm west of Spokane. Bang's has been hit especially hard with complaints about the odor of growing pot. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
From staff reports

The Spokane County Commission has scheduled a public hearing to gather feedback on its ordinance banning new outdoor marijuana farms.

The hearing will start at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 10 in the commissioners’ hearing room on the bottom floor of the Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway Ave.

The commission unanimously approved the moratorium on Nov. 29, a surprise move that drew the ire of local industry advocates. The ordinance is scheduled to last six months as commissioners gather public feedback and consider making it permanent.

Commissioner Al French, who introduced the policy, has said local officials have been “inundated” with complaints from neighbors about the smell of growing marijuana. The other two commissioners at the time, Shelly O’Quinn and Nancy McLaughlin, voted in favor of the ordinance.

Commissioner Josh Kerns was sworn in to replace McLaughlin hours after that vote. He’s now tasked with hearing feedback about the ordinance.