Aldermen OK Sunday marijuana

Aldermen have voted to amend the medical marijuana ordinance to allow for Sunday sales.

Aldermen approved the change requested by the owner of Dabbs Cannabis Dispensary to extend sales to Sundays in a 3-2 vote during last week’s regular meeting. 

Tony Wallace and Bobby Britton of Mendenhall own Dabbs Cannabis Dispensary, located at 1024 W Beacon St. across from Popeyes. They already own other dispensaries in Scott, Rankin, and Simpson counties, making Philadelphia their fifth.

Aldermen will formally vote on the new ordinance on Feb. 20 and if approved the change will take effect in about 30 days.

Ward 1 Alderman Justin Clearman, Ward 3 Alderman James Tatum, and Ward 4 Alderman Shaun Seals voted for the change, while Ward 2 Alderman Jim Fulton and Alderman-at-Large James Waltman opposed selling pot on Sundays.

Under the current ordinance approved in April 2023, businesses like Dabbs can operate Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

In other matters, aldermen voted to:

• Approve a motion to pay Perry Construction $101,831 for work completed on the Booker T. Washington Gymnasium ADA Improvements. The motion was approved unanimously; 

• Approve a motion to pay Wendell Holmes Sr., HVAC $1,921 for blower units installed at Westside Community Center out of Bond B account. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Bryce Parkerson from the Street Department effective Feb. 2. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to hire John Ladd at $10 per hour effective Feb. 8 with the Street Department pending a drug screen. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to approve welcome signs at 11 city entrance locations. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to allow Animal Control to apply for a grant. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of John Lilley from the Police Department effective Feb. 6. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept the resignation of Jarron Tucker from the Fire Department effective Jan. 26. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to approve the purchase of a Motorola APX Next Multi radio for the Fire Department for $10,409 through Task Force Grant and reimbursable. The motion was approved unanimously;

• Approve a motion to accept a Paratech equipment bid from Nafeco at $745,793.23 for the Fire Department. The motion was approved unanimously.