DAYTON--The Columbia County Commissioners have placed an immediate six-month emergency moratorium on new marijuana production, processing and sales in the county. The moratorium will give the County Planning Commission time to address deficiencies within the Columbia County Code, according to Planning Director Meagan Bailey, speaking at the regular commissioners’ meeting on Monday.

A public hearing on June 28 regarding a request from Walla Walla resident Meri Bush for a conditional use permit to open and operate the county’s first grow facility prompted county officials to take a step b...