After rejecting a proposal last month to allow 24-hour drive-thru marijuana sales, the Warrenton Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance Tuesday, Oct. 6, that limits drive-thru and walk-up sales at dispensaries to the same hours alcohol can be sold, from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Previously, Warrenton marijuana dispensaries were limited to operating between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., and those remain the hours allowed for in-store sales.
There was little discussion prior to the final 6-0 vote on the ordinance, although in response to a question from Alderman Roger Romaker, City Administrator Brandie Walters noted that sales would not be allowed inside the facilities after 10 p.m. In addition to drive-thru sales, however, dispensaries will also be able to conduct sales at a walk-up window until 1:30 a.m., she added.
At their Sept. 15 meeting, aldermen discussed a recommendation from the Warrenton Planning & Zoning Commission that would have amended the city code to allow marijuana sales 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although the planning commissioners voted 8-0 in favor of that recommendation Sept. 3, aldermen said they would rather limit the drive-thru marijuana sales to the same hours alcohol can be sold.
“I don’t see that this does anything to improve or help the community in any way,” Alderman Larry Corder said at the time.
Alderman Josh Chandler added that he didn’t see a need for 24-hour business activity. “We don’t have it really for anywhere else other than the gas stations,” he said.
Warrenton has one licensed marijuana dispensary, Proper Cannabis, located at 711 N. State Highway 47, according to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services verified dispensary locator.
Missouri legalized medical marijuana following voter approval of a ballot initiative in 2018, and recreational marijuana four years later in 2022.
