The City of Elma could open the gates for a retail marijuana operation within city limits.

The city will hold its next council meeting on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. where it will seek input from the public on the hearing examiner’s recommendations which would allow for retail recreational marijuana sales in Elma.

A public hearing was conducted on Wednesday, Aug. 16 and was attended by hearing examiner Neil Aaland, Elma director of community development and building official Joe Chrystal and Elma public works director Jim Starks. No letters from the public were presented at the hearing. The city has a pending request for a retail marijuana operation.

The amendment of the Unified Development Code would allow for retail sales of recreational marijuana in Elma.

The Elma city council at a work session June 26 proposed that no more than two licensed marijuana stores be allowed to operate within Elma. The council also agreed with a recommendation from police chief Susan Shultz to permit stores to operate only until 8 p.m.

The final decision on text amendments now falls to the Elma City Council.