By Griffin Beach on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
PENDLETON – After more than an hour of discussion and public testimony, the Pendleton City Council appears poised to approve a temporary moratorium on new marijuana retailers to allow officials more time to consider a permanent cap.
The issue reached the council last week when Erin Purchase, owner of Kind Leaf, requested a limit on the number of dispensaries in the city. On Tuesday, Purchase told the council that market “saturation” threatens locally owned operations already burdened by strict regulations.
“I have to have security, I have to have cash-only business, I have armored car transport,” Purchase said, noting requirements for marijuana businesses under Oregon law.
Council members expressed concern regarding two pending applications for new retailers. They questioned staff on how a moratorium would affect those specific requests.
“I don’t believe that any moratorium action that you take will apply to those two,” City Attorney Nancy Kerns said.
Pendleton currently has four operating marijuana retailers.
Mayor McKennon McDonald asked if a temporary restriction could prevent a sudden influx of new applications while the council gathers more information.
“This seems like a pretty major decision to make in a very short time,” she said with council member Sean Butler adding that news coverage on the issue might prompt companies to rush to in applications before a decision is made.
Kerns said a temporary moratorium of up to six months could be enacted City Manager Robb Corbett said staff will present a formal proposal at the next meeting.
The next Pendleton City Council meeting is scheduled for April 21.
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