Anyone wishing a marijuana sales store would open up in a certain downtown Cambridge space and keep the previous business’ name will now be disappointed.

On a unanimous vote and with minimal discussion, the Cambridge City Council has approved an amendment to the city’s cannabis sales ordinance that removes the downtown business district and downtown fringe business district from the zones where a cannabis sales business may open.

According to Cambridge City Administrator Evan Vogel, over the last few months, city staff have been approached by prospective cannabis business owners inquiring about two vacant buildings in downtown Cambridge: the former North Metro Auto Sales site and the former Herman’s Bakery site. Before getting too far into the process, Vogel said staff wanted to get a final, definitive answer to whether the council wished to allow such a business to open downtown.

“Given the focus of previous strategic planning efforts, I did not want to presume the council would be supportive of a new and semi-controversial business class in that business district the council has deemed the cultural hub of the city,” Vogel said.

According to Community and Economic Development Director Marcia Westover, the amendment would still allow for the sale of low-potency hemp edibles downtown, such as if one of the downtown restaurants decided to start selling THC-infused drinks that have become popular. Additionally, the change would still allow a cannabis sales business to open along the Highway 95 business corridor to the east of the railroad tracks, or in the industrial districts.

“There’s ample opportunities in our city to open such a business,” Westover said. “The callers have asked about the two businesses downtown, but there are other vacant buildings in the city they are also interested in.”