HUBBARD — Dustin Crites noted the potential for economic development and enhancement of the city’s school system as some of the benefits of allowing recreational marijuana sales.

Crites, A Cut Above Dispensary’s general manager, spoke in front of residents and council members during the public session of Monday’s Hubbard City Council meeting.

Recreational marijuana has been a hot button topic in the city, as its council voted 4-2 over the summer to ban sales of it within city limits, despite statewide legalization of adult-use cannabis. The company collected 194 signatures, nearly twice the required 100, to get the issue on the ballot as a referendum in November.

Crites explained that in the first month of allowing recreational marijuana, the state saw $54 million in sales through its 123 licensed dispensaries, which averaged out to $445,000 per month per store.

If Hubbard allowed the dispensaries, it would rake in $191,940 at a 3.6% tax rate, Crites said.

“The amount of $191,940 annually, nearly $200,000, that could be invested back into our community and supporting the local police force and enhancing our school system, improving our infrastructure. Economic development increases foot traffic,” Crites said.

“The store would naturally benefit nearby businesses, whether it’s people stopping to shop or dining at a local restaurant, grocery stores, hitting the gas station, or visiting the various stores downtown.”

Crites said the company ensures it only sells safely tested products to individuals 21 and older and is subjected to random inspections by the state, which has 24 / 7 access to their cameras and inventory system.

Crites said he is unsure they’ll be able to keep their doors open until November’s election with just medicinal sales. If A Cut Above Dispensary’s doors were forced to close, people might turn to the “unsafe, illicit market,” Crites warned.

Council President William Williams said the voters would have to overturn the city’s ordinance to allow recreational marijuana sales.

“It’s a council decision. I can’t make that decision. Council has to make the decision as far as which way they want it to go and I believe council’s consensus was to let it go to the voters and let the citizens of the city decide what they want,” Williams said. “They want it, we’ll obey their wishes. If they don’t want it? We’ll obey their wishes, but it’s up to the voters at this point. The election’s not that far away.”

In other action, council:

● Heard from Councilwoman Cathy Cummings, D-4th Ward, that they held their regular meeting Sept. 10 at Jones Field. Cummings said the bathrooms were redone, the walls were painted inside and the floor was done. The pavilion’s inside was painted, locks were fixed and additional cameras were put in to cover more of the park’s area, she added.

● Heard from Councilwoman Bonnie Viele, D-1st Ward, that the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission will be hosting a public hearing at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 in the city council chambers. They plan to discuss the placement of a food trailer on East Liberty Street.