Monday night the Benton City Council voted to place a 90-day moratorium on marijuana businesses while the city council examines its options regarding zoning and regulating marijuana facilities.

KATV writes,

[Benton Mayor] Mattingly says he would rather the facilities not come to Benton period.

“I would rather not have one just to be quite honest with you,” said Mattingly. “I think it’s going to be a new and challenging thing, but it’s not going to be easy for anyone both in law enforcement and the public to accept.”

Mattingly says only one person has contacted the city expressing interest in opening a medical marijuana facility.

This report comes on the heals of a decision by the Hot Springs City Board of Directors to pass a resolution in favor of marijuana businesses.

Marijuana is a blight on the community. Fortunately, Benton’s leadership seems to recognize that.