EATON — The second and final reading on an ordinance which will ban the production, cultivation, and sale of medical marijuana within Eaton city limits was approved during a city council meeting on Monday, Sept. 18.

Council had previously passed a moratorium on the production of medical marijuana during a meeting on Monday, Aug. 21. However, according to staff, the plan was always to have the moratorium in place to immediately stop marijuana from being sold in city limits, with the understanding council wanted a ban.

The ordinance passed requires a change to the codified ordinances which state the cultivation, processing, or retail dispensing of medical marijuana shall be prohibited use in all zoning districts within the City of Eaton; use of property in violation of this section shall constitute a nuisance, and in addition to other penalties provided by law, the Director of Law shall be authorized to institute civil proceedings.

Without comments, council member Joe Renner moved for the adoption of the ordinance. Council member Craig Moormeier seconded and all member of council voted in the affirmative.

This ordinance does not take effect immediately. To allow for any referendum petitions, there is a 30-day waiting period before the ban goes into effect. This is why council proceeded and put a moratorium in place, according to officials.

The ban will take over when it is officially in effect on Wednesday, Oct. 18. At that point, the moratorium will no longer be in place.