ELKINS — The Randolph County Commission unanimously approved the final reading of a Vape/Smoke Shop Location and Operating Requiring Ordinance during its most recent meeting.

The ordinance, which was introduced at the Commission’s first meeting in September, states that no new vape shops can open within a mile of schools and churches in the county. It also places restrictions on what type of signage the shops can use for advertisement, such as marijuana leaf logos. The ordinance, however, would not affect any of the vape shops already established in the county.

“We have gone over this ordinance the past three meetings and we had our public hearing meeting last time and no one showed up to speak for or against the Vape Shop Ordinance,” Commission President David Kesling said.

“This is our final read for it and we can pass it today unless a commissioner requests it be read in full. Reading the title is sufficient, but if we make any changes in it we would have to approve it at the next meeting.”

Fellow Commissioners Cris Siler and Chris See agreed that no changes needed to be made and voted to pass the ordinance.

Kesling said Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Parker looked over the ordinance.

“Michael (Parker) reviewed it and we first originally thought that we couldn’t do it in municipalities like Elkins, but we can enact it within all boundaries of the county,” Kesling said. “So we are looking at doing it so that it would affect any of these types of businesses in the county.

“Michael (Parker) has talked to the Elkins City attorney and made them fully aware of what we were doing and they were happy with it. But it will affect any future vape shops coming to the county.”

Siler asked Kesling, “Will certain rules change if a shop changes locations?”

Kesling replied, “It does not affect any of the current locations. But if they would move, yes, it would have to fall under the ordinance then.”

Kesling added that the ordinance was posted on the County Commission’s website and Facebook page, and that there were advertisements placed in The Inter-Mountain to make the public aware.

The next Randolph County Commission meeting will be Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m.