Akron, OH
Thursday, April 30, 2026
BARBERTON — Barberton City Council April 27 had its first reading of legislation to rescind the city’s ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana processors, cultivators and retail dispensaries anywhere in the city.
The legislation was introduced by Councilman Dallas Moore (I-Ward 3) and presented by Councilman and Public Welfare and Safety Committee Chair Monte Harris (R-Ward 6).
Harris said the legislation is an effort to “catch up to other cities benefiting from the [tax] revenue from these dispensaries.” Meanwhile, Harris said, allowing the proposed ordinance to have three readings by Council — the next scheduled for the May 11 regular legislative meeting — will both allow Council to study the issue and residents to voice their opinion.
“I have heard many pros and cons, both for and against it,” Harris said.
He added that with the city’s recent update of its development code, both the Planning Commission and the Planning Department “need to do their work” to classify these types of businesses and determine where they should be located in the city.
Council is also considering legislation presented by Councilwoman and Planning Annexation and Codes Committee Chair Emily Beck (D-Ward 4) to amend a resolution enacting a moratorium on issuing permits to various types of businesses including “retail dispensing of marijuana.”
This legislation would also add vape shops and data centers to the list of prohibited businesses. Council had its second reading of the resolution at the April 27 meeting, with its third and final reading expected May 11.
Also at the meeting, Service Director Todd Shreve updated Council on the city’s efforts to seek Tree City USA status as part of the America 250 and Barberton 135 celebrations this year.
Shreve said a tree was planted April 21 and dedicated April 24 as part of the city’s Arbor Day celebration. He added the planting is the first step in the city’s Tree City USA application process.
“We wanted that to be a goal this year, and we have met a lot of the qualifications in the past. It is just a matter of getting the application in,” Shreve said, adding the application period opens in September.
In other action, Council approved:
• a one-year community corrections contract with Oriana House;
• the disposal of obsolete city property; and
• declining a request for hearings for new D-1 and D-2 liquor licenses at Luciano Bar and Grill, 861 Wooster Road, and new C-2 and C-1 liquor licenses at the Dollar General store at 1403 Wooster Road W.
Barberton City Council next meets May 4 at 6 p.m. for its Streets, Health, Planning, Finance and Committee of the Whole meetings and on May 11 at 6 p.m. for its Parks, Safety, Rules, Utilities, a second Finance and its regular legislative meeting, all in Council Chambers at the Barberton Municipal Building, 576 W. Park Ave. Meetings also are viewable online at cityofbar berton.com under “Government” and “City Council.”
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