City Council keeps marijuana retail ordinance in committee, pending broader discussion.
City Council keeps marijuana retail ordinance in committee, allowing it to expire. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs voted unanimously to table Ordinances #493 and #494, which would have increased retail marijuana licenses by three, including two designated for social equity
City Council · Meeting of January 22, 2026
SALEM — City Council keeps marijuana retail ordinance in committee, allowing it to expire. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs voted unanimously to table Ordinances #493 and #494, which would have increased retail marijuana licenses by three, including two designated for social equity applicants, after Council President Alice Rose Merkl, Councillor Erin Turowski, Councillor Lydia C. King, Councillor Andrew W.
Varela, and Councillor Conrad J. Prosniewski expressed concerns about market saturation, social equity protections, and the need to explore other cannabis business types such as social consumption and delivery before committing to additional retail licenses. The ordinances expire February 11, 2026.
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Source: the City Council meeting of January 22, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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