Winston Adopts Marijuana Business License Moratorium

The Winston City Council has adopted an ordinance placing a permanent moratorium on new or additional retail marijuana dispensary business licenses within the city.

Ordinance No. 26-723 was approved following its second reading at the council’s June 1 meeting. The measure is intended to bring the city into compliance with Oregon House Bill 4121, a state law that limits marijuana retail and producer licenses based on population.

Under the ordinance, Winston will not accept applications for, or issue, new or additional retail marijuana dispensary business licenses under Chapter 110 of the Winston Municipal Code. The moratorium takes effect 30 days after adoption.

The ordinance does not eliminate the city’s existing license. According to the council packet, Winston currently has one active retail marijuana dispensary license with Redbarn Dispensary. The city’s listed 21-and-older population is 5,607, which places Winston below the 7,500-person threshold used under the state licensing cap.

House Bill 4121 created a population-based limit for marijuana business licensing through the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. The city’s staff report said the law was designed to address oversaturation in the marijuana market and stabilize low wholesale prices after previous temporary moratoriums on new license processing.

City documents also note that the state law limits the issuance of new state licenses, but does not affect renewals, ownership changes, or location transfers for existing licenses. Winston’s ordinance adds a local moratorium on new or additional city marijuana business licenses.

The council packet lists no identifiable financial impact from adopting the ordinance.

The ordinance received its first reading on May 18 and was adopted after its second reading on June 1.

The Winston City Council packet can be found here.