WASHINGTON:  The Yakima City Council, once divided on the issue of how to implement the state’s recreational marijuana law, was virtually united Tuesday night when deciding to ban all business activity related to the drug.

Council voted 6 to 1 in favor of the ban on the growing, processing and retail sales of pot within city limits. Council member Kathy Coffey cast the lone no vote.

“I cannot support this ban. I do not think this is a responsible move by this council,” Coffey said in dissent.

The rest of the council went along with the ban largely citing federal law that classifies marijuana as an illegal drug. They were not swayed by several claims during the public hearing from people about the millions of dollars in revenue the city would lose, the black market that would continue or the medical value from it.

The stage was set for the ban when Council Member Maureen Adkison switched her position from moving forward with developing regulations for complying with I-502. At that time, Mayor Micah Cawley was on board with that as well, but went along Tuesday night with the rest of council to vote for the ban.