Bayfield voters say NO to pot sales

Unofficial results show 54 percent rejected measure

Tuesday, Nov 6, 2018 8:19 PM Updated Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018 12:42 AM

Unofficial results show 54 percent rejected measure

Signs urging no votes on Bayfield 2B and 2C went up at several businesses and properties downtown.

Melanie Brubaker Mazur/Pine River Times file

Bayfield residents will not be able to legally purchase marijuana in town limits, according to results from Tuesday night’s election.

Town residents voted on 2B, allowing for medical and recreational sales in town limits, and 2C, for a fee of up to $10 on each sale in town. Until this election, the town board had voted to ban sales in town limits.

“Oh wonderful, you don’t know how happy that makes me,” said Anne Schrier, who worked with a coalition of town and county residents urging a NO vote.

2C

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November 7, 2018, 12:23:16 AM

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The majority, 615 voters, or 52 percent, didn’t want marijuana dispensaries in town. The YES votes totaled 48 percent of the 1,173 votes cast.

“I’m glad the people got to speak their voice, and I’m excited to go with that,” said Bayfield Mayor Matt Salka. The town has other issues requiring attention, such as an updated water plan, and having a definite “no” from the voters frees up more staff time and resources for those matters, he added.

2B

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November 7, 2018, 12:22:51 AM

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There were reportedly several businesses interested in opening marijuana dispensaries in Bayfield, although the local ordinance would have capped the number at three.

Public comments and letters to the editor on the issues were basically divided into two camps. Proponents said Bayfield needs the tax revenue that legalized marijuana sales could provide, while opponents said it was detrimental to Bayfield’s small-town values and family-friendly image.

Current and past members of the town board said they wanted to put the issue before voters to get a definitive answer on the issue.

Salka and other trustees said they have no interest in bringing the marijuana sales issue to voters again anytime soon.