A local medical marijuana grower who sued the Town of Luther over a zoning denial will get to grow on their land, after all. The Luther Town Board of Trustees met in a Special Meeting Wednesday night and agreed to a resolution stating essentially it would’t stand in the way of Jab Corp., to pursue the business it was licensed for by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority.
Lawyers on both sides of the issue worked out the details that will be filed in Oklahoma County District Court. JAB Corp., sued the Town back in February after Town Board members denied a zoning request.
Whereas, due to the continued evolution in the laws of the State of Oklahoma regarding medical marijuana operations, to avoid a costly, protracted litigation process, and to safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the Town of Luther by imposing reasonable restrictions on the proposed marijuana growing operation, the Board of Trustees believes that it is in the best interset of the Town to resolve the pending litigation in accordance with the proposed Agreed Journal Entry of Judgement,” Town of Luther Resolution No 2019-08
JAB owners plan to proceed with their grow operation as soon as possible. Three lawyers, representing the Town, met with four members of the Town Board Wednesday night to discuss the resolution. In open session, Trustees Trandy Langston, Jenni White, Jeff Schwarzmeier and Brian Hall voted for the resolution. Trustee Paxton Cavin was absent.
Each party will bear its own costs and attorney fees incurred to date, the resolution stated that is to be signed by the plaintiff’s attorney Christopher Woods and the town attorney Beth Anne Childs.
Police Chief Resigns
The Board also accepted the resignation of Luther Police Chief David Randall at the meeting. Randall joined the department less than two years ago in October 2017. The New Orleans native reportedly has accepted another position in law enforcement. He reportedly submitted his immediate resignation on Monday evening. The Board voted to name Sgt. Tony Walker as interim police chief. With the resignation, the police department now has just three full-time officers, plus the school resource officer. But Acting Chief Walker said that while they are advertising for new officers and reservists, the Town currently has police coverage 24- hours a day, seven days a week, and he said they will continue at that pace while seeking additional qualified officers. LPD officers have been working 12-hour shifts, he said.
Trustee Cavin who serves as the Town’s police liaison said she wishes Randall the best in his future opportunities.
Former Chief of Police David Randall was a true asset to the Luther Police Department … Randall came to the LPD at a time when the department was in desperate need of change. It has been a pleasure to work along side him. Along with his team, Randall put in the long hours, dedication, and creativity to leave the LPD in better shape than when he started. I sincerely thank Randall for his service to the LPD and to the Luther Community,” she said.
Below are reports from the first three months of 2019 that show LPD activity. The reports were prepared by former Chief Randall. For the first quarter of the year, the report says LPD issued 450 tickets and 311 warnings. Officers provided 70 agency assists, answered 22 animal calls, ran on grass fires, domestic assault, accidents and suicidal calls.
