For a brief period during Monday, it appeared that recreational marijuana would be banned in Island County.

Discussions about a new ordinance headed for approval took an abrupt turn when Commissioner Kelly Emerson reversed her earlier position and called for a ban of marijuana in the county.

Commissioner Jill Johnson quickly seconded the motion.

The ordinance ultimately passed 2-1, but not before a lively discussion.

“I’m just aghast,” said Commissioner Helen Price Johnson, who pressed for a speedy process after a moratorium was placed on recreational marijuana last year.

“I can’t believe we’ve come down this road and you’re just now saying that we should ban this. I think it’s poor form. I do think we have an obligation to do what we said we would do.”

Emerson said that her original stance was just to incorporate the state law with no additional restrictions.

However, given the concern of local law enforcement about crime and the difficulty of regulation, Emerson said, she decided to change tack.

“Law enforcement is very concerned about the impact it’s going to have on them,” Emerson said.

Plus, she said, the island is an “isolated geographic area” where the problem might be “exacerbated.”

Emerson also cited an opinion issued by the state Attorney General earlier this year that local jurisdictions have the option to ban recreational marijuana.

“We have the opportunity to ban should we so desire,” Emerson said. “It’s something I have considered, I think it’s something we need to consider very strongly.

“I would offer an amendment that we scratch it.”

Price Johnson held her position in favor of approval of the recreational marijuana ordinance.

“I am not in favor of banning,” Price Johnson said. “I think we’ve done a lot of public outreach and work to create an ordinance that will strike a balance in our community and implement the law of the state of Washington. I don’t agree with your position, but I agree even less with your process or lack of process … or transparency.”

William Bratsher of North Whidbey was among a handful of prospective marijuana growers at the meeting who expressed shock at Emerson’s about face.

“I just invested $200,000 in taking a property off the market that has been there for 1,500 days, now you’re telling me you’re banning?”

“Thank you,” Bratsher added sarcastically.

“I’ve been following this for quite some time, I’ve never heard the word ‘ban’ ever mentioned anywhere,” said Rockie Eggebrecht. “I’m am very frustrated to hear that word at this late date. It’s been approved by the state already. I’ve just been waiting for you guys to finish so we can move forward.

“To hear that word this morning really, really irks me.”

After public comment, Price Johnson made a motion to approve the ordinance, which was followed by a motion from Emerson in favor of a marijuana ban.

Commissioner Jill Johnson said she was torn on the issue.

“As the person who is about to make this decision because you two are on opposite sides of things, I was hoping we could talk it though first,” Johnson said. “Since we’re all moving in our different directions … I’m gonna refuse to second either motion right now and that way I can have a moment of discussion, which is …

“I’m a little sick to my stomach right now.”

Johnson said she was hesitant from the start about approving recreational marijuana in Island County and was repeatedly outvoted by the other two commissioners.

“During work session, I expressed a clear interest in not getting involved in marijuana from the beginning, and I am very concerned about the very things Commissioner Emerson is talking about,” Johnson said. “If we were gonna say ‘no,’ we should have said ‘no’ at the beginning.

“It’s so hard to sit here in a situation where I can have exactly what I want and we set the public up … I’m not prepared to vote today.”

Johnson became visibly emotional and requested a brief recess.

Upon reconvening the meeting, Price Johnson repeated her motion for approval of the ordinance, which was immediately seconded by Johnson.

“I have concerns and I remain concerned and every part of me personally feels this is a bad idea,” Johnson said. “But there is one value that I’m going to hold higher, which is I’m committed to being part of a very transparent government. One who walks people through its processes. One that raises concerns along the way, so when you reach the finish line of a race people know how we got there.”

The ordinance was approved with Johnson and Price Johnson in favor and Emerson dissenting.