Landisburg will consider an ordinance next month to prohibit all forms of marijuana, both recreational and medicinal, and related businesses within the borough limits, regardless of any laws passed by the state Legislature.

"This is a proactive stance to get ahead of the game," council President Stephen Kowalewski said.

The ordinance would make Landisburg a weed-dry borough, similar to municipalities that prohibit the sale of alcohol.

Council voted to advertise the proposed ordinance for a 30-day review.

"This prohibition includes prohibiting establishments and individuals to cultivate, grow, process and retail any marijuana product," according to the proposed ordinance.

Violations would be considered a "nuisance," and the accused would receive a civil infraction citation from the code enforcement officer. Violators could be fined between $100 and $500 at a court's discretion for every day the violation continues.

The ordinance makes no distinction between recreational marijuana, medicinal marijuana, or hemp, the industrial form of cannabis without the chemical concentrations that cause a high.

The ordinance does have a section that says if Landisburg's general prohibition is deemed void by courts, marijuana sales would have to take place within a pharmacy where more than 50 percent of the business is not marijuana. The ordinance would not prevent the transport of legal marijuana products on public roads through the borough by licensed carriers.

"With the lieutenant governor's statewide tour, and the movement toward legalizing recreational marijuana, the borough is being proactive," Kowalewski said.

Suspected drug activity

POLICE WORK -- Lt. Rob Kelly, commander of the Newport station of the state police, talks to Landisburg Borough Council members and the public about suspected drug problems, and other crime and safety issues at the Feb. 11 meeting.

Landisburg invited the state police to attend its Feb. 11 council meeting to discuss suspected drug activity and a renewed vigilance for community safety.

"We're here to listen to the concerns the community has," said Lt. Rob Kelly, commander of the Newport station of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Perry County has seen its share of drug-related problems in recent years, particularly with the increase in both illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl, and prescription drug abuse.

Landisburg called the town hall (thinly attended in part due to the snowstorm) because residents had noticed unattended cars with unusual traffic of people coming and going for several months at the end of 2018, Kowalewski said. In late January, the cars were moved, and the activity ceased, he said.

"We're not immune from national trends," Kelly said, but he emphasized police are getting better at detecting drug-impaired driving -- another problem on the rise -- and they will respond to calls of suspicious activity in any community.

One resident said the borough should look into medicine drop boxes, similar to ones installed at the courthouse in New Bloomfield and Marysville's borough office, where people can securely discard old prescription drugs. That prevents theft and abuse, and the drugs are properly destroyed by law enforcement.

Robert Nulton, a former Landisburg councilman who is running for county commissioner, said it would certainly be good for small communities to see the state police more often. "Sometimes, the western end of the county feels left out," he said.

Kelly said the state police still are dealing with broad issues, such as staffing levels and retirements, that can spread troopers thin, but it doesn't mean they can't or won't visit communities.

The best thing to do is to call the police, and request troopers if there are recurring problems. They will respond and investigate, even if it takes a little time to arrive.

"We do have a large geographic area to cover here, but it's no worse than elsewhere," Kelly said.

Gary Eby, another commissioners' candidate from New Bloomfield, said times have changed and communities need to be vigilant about overlooked areas, such as remote parks and cemeteries.

"Anything you can do to discourage it, you should do," he said.

Kowalewski also encouraged residents not to stay silent when they see something by calling the police, or informing municipal officials. Knowledge will help everyone work through problems, while silence will make them worse, he said.

Farmers market

The borough continues to work on a lease agreement with the Landisburg Volunteer Fire Company to use its grounds this summer for a regular farmers' market.

"We're doing this to make the community better and bring some fresh fruits and vegetables to people," Kowalewski said.

The market also will have local crafts and other items for sale. The borough and fire company are trying to complete the agreement by April so the market can be advertised before May.

Jim T. Ryan can be reached via e-mail at jtryan@perrycountytimes.com