Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The lack of a school, a bank or a grocery store in Galien doesn't mean that a lot of residents are ready to embrace new development in the form of medical marijuana facilities. Over 30 people attended the April 19 Galien Township Board meeting and several expressed opposition to embracing such facilities.
Despite their pleas, board members voted 3-2 to move ahead with the drafting of a new ordinance which would allow medical marijuana facilities in the township. Voting yes were Supervisor Bruce Williams, Clerk Jennifer Richter and Treasurer Kendra Truhn. Voting no were Trustees Matthew Kinne and Gerald Mast.
Mast said he was voting no because he doesn't think it is in keeping with the township's rural character as a farming community. He added that there are banking concerns about having the township involved in activities which are still prohibited under federal law. He doesn't think allowing these facilities will be as big a money maker as people think.
Richter, Truhn and Williams said the biggest factor for them is the creation of jobs which they said could pay $20 an hour or more. "I think this deserves more research and consideration," Richter said. "This could be 40-50-60 jobs. As a community, we need to look into it and educate ourselves."
Galien Village President Paul Palmer was among those speaking against allowing such facilities in the township. He urged board members to listen to residents who elected them and not the outside developers promising jobs and money.
"I know the township is in financial difficulty, but to me this is like legal prostitution," he said. "These facilities have three levels of security around them, is this what you want in Galien? Is it about the money? That's a shame if it is."
Other township residents asked the board both in person and in writing to not move forward with "opting in" to the new medical marijuana facilities laws.
"We have empty buildings, so what?" Kathy Miles asked. ""We don't need pot to bring development. We are a farming community. Let us be what we are, not what we are not. If you open this Pandora's box, you can't put it back."
Steve Rochman disagreed. "It doesn't matter what your point of view is on marijuana, that boat has sailed," he said. "Are we going to miss the next boat with these businesses? I don't see why you wouldn't take the opportunity for new development. We could get a water system and other businesses. Who can possibly be against the town making money?"
Prospective medical marijuana facilities developers promised good paying jobs as well as revenue for the township. New Buffalo real estate agent Carie O'Donnell was the first developer to come to the township. She said she knows firsthand the value of medical marijuana and sees a facility benefiting people who need the marijuana and the community.
Steve Ratcliff said he represented a number of area farmers interested in starting a medical marijuana venture. "We're hoping to help the community and bring it back," he said. "This is about growing something legal, this is an agricultural enterprise."
A package of state laws passed last fall allows local governments to "opt in" and allow one or more different medical marijuana facilities ranging from grow operations to retail dispensaries. Local governments then receive revenue from licensing fees as well as a portion of taxes paid to the state.
Wednesday, Galien Township Attorney Sara Bell said she expects a first draft of a medical marijuana facilities ordinance to be ready to bring to the board by June. "The first day anyone can apply is mid-December," she said. "We're ahead of the game. We're telling people that we're thinking of moving forward, but the devil is in the details."
In Galien Township, people have applied to have grow, processing, transport and dispensary type businesses in the township. The only type of facility people are not asking to open is a testing facility.
Elsewhere in the area, the cities of Buchanan and Niles have taken similar steps to "opt in" to the new laws. They are now in the process of developing new ordinances and rules to be in place before the state starts issuing licenses in December.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Galien Township Board votes 3-2 in favor of local marijuana facilities | News | harborcountry-news.com
Author: Debra Haight
Contact: Contact Us | Site | harborcountry-news.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: harborcountry-news.com
Despite their pleas, board members voted 3-2 to move ahead with the drafting of a new ordinance which would allow medical marijuana facilities in the township. Voting yes were Supervisor Bruce Williams, Clerk Jennifer Richter and Treasurer Kendra Truhn. Voting no were Trustees Matthew Kinne and Gerald Mast.
Mast said he was voting no because he doesn't think it is in keeping with the township's rural character as a farming community. He added that there are banking concerns about having the township involved in activities which are still prohibited under federal law. He doesn't think allowing these facilities will be as big a money maker as people think.
Richter, Truhn and Williams said the biggest factor for them is the creation of jobs which they said could pay $20 an hour or more. "I think this deserves more research and consideration," Richter said. "This could be 40-50-60 jobs. As a community, we need to look into it and educate ourselves."
Galien Village President Paul Palmer was among those speaking against allowing such facilities in the township. He urged board members to listen to residents who elected them and not the outside developers promising jobs and money.
"I know the township is in financial difficulty, but to me this is like legal prostitution," he said. "These facilities have three levels of security around them, is this what you want in Galien? Is it about the money? That's a shame if it is."
Other township residents asked the board both in person and in writing to not move forward with "opting in" to the new medical marijuana facilities laws.
"We have empty buildings, so what?" Kathy Miles asked. ""We don't need pot to bring development. We are a farming community. Let us be what we are, not what we are not. If you open this Pandora's box, you can't put it back."
Steve Rochman disagreed. "It doesn't matter what your point of view is on marijuana, that boat has sailed," he said. "Are we going to miss the next boat with these businesses? I don't see why you wouldn't take the opportunity for new development. We could get a water system and other businesses. Who can possibly be against the town making money?"
Prospective medical marijuana facilities developers promised good paying jobs as well as revenue for the township. New Buffalo real estate agent Carie O'Donnell was the first developer to come to the township. She said she knows firsthand the value of medical marijuana and sees a facility benefiting people who need the marijuana and the community.
Steve Ratcliff said he represented a number of area farmers interested in starting a medical marijuana venture. "We're hoping to help the community and bring it back," he said. "This is about growing something legal, this is an agricultural enterprise."
A package of state laws passed last fall allows local governments to "opt in" and allow one or more different medical marijuana facilities ranging from grow operations to retail dispensaries. Local governments then receive revenue from licensing fees as well as a portion of taxes paid to the state.
Wednesday, Galien Township Attorney Sara Bell said she expects a first draft of a medical marijuana facilities ordinance to be ready to bring to the board by June. "The first day anyone can apply is mid-December," she said. "We're ahead of the game. We're telling people that we're thinking of moving forward, but the devil is in the details."
In Galien Township, people have applied to have grow, processing, transport and dispensary type businesses in the township. The only type of facility people are not asking to open is a testing facility.
Elsewhere in the area, the cities of Buchanan and Niles have taken similar steps to "opt in" to the new laws. They are now in the process of developing new ordinances and rules to be in place before the state starts issuing licenses in December.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Galien Township Board votes 3-2 in favor of local marijuana facilities | News | harborcountry-news.com
Author: Debra Haight
Contact: Contact Us | Site | harborcountry-news.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: harborcountry-news.com
