PAMLICO COUNTY – Responding to citizen complaints, elected officials vowed Monday night to come down hard on the half dozen brightly illuminated stores, hinting the lights might shroud a dark side to inappropriate business practices.
Expressing his approval of a detailed three-page ordinance – a proposed new law that will be examined more closely in a November 17 public hearing – Pamlico County Commission Chairman Ed Riggs Jr. complained “we’ve got too many of these things out there.” Commissioner Kenny Heath agreed, citing conversations with a constituent who “tried out a gummie, and this person then said ‘I could not see.’”
Of the seven-member board, Commissioner Doug Brinson was the most strident. “I have lost all patience. This document does not have enough teeth in it to suit me.” Commissioner Kari Forrest observed that rules and regulations governing liquor consumption exist in every community, but vape shops prominently promoting hemp and similar products are under-regulated.
“We must drive by these places with ‘hemp this’ and ‘hemp that’ blaring at us while we have kids in the car. That is just not acceptable,” said Forrest.
Citizens may obtain a copy of the proposed law from the County Manager’s office in Bayboro. Call (252) 745-3133 for more information.
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