Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
As nearby townships go all in on medical marijuana, officials in Bay City want to make sure they can also get a piece of the pie.
The Bay City Commission on Monday, Sept. 18, votes on a resolution to opt into the state's Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act. Approving the resolution sets the table for the city to start crafting specific ordinances related to the medical marijuana industry, but doesn't tie it down to welcoming manufacturers and dispensaries to town.
"This doesn't mean that it's coming to Bay City, it just opens the door," said Commissioner Ed Clements, 8th Ward, who authored the resolution.
Five votes are needed for approval. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 301 Washington Ave.
At least one commissioner says he has concerns about opting into the medical cannabis industry. Commissioner Lynn Stamiris, 1st Ward, says the city should wait for the "state to get its act together" on the issue before jumping into it.
"It's kind of like buying a new car in the first year of production," he said. "There are glitches that come out. I think rather than running and jumping into something like medical marijuana, we let these other communities work out the bugs."
Other commissioners say by not opting in, the city risks losing millions of dollar in investment.
"Absolutely, you don't want to miss out on those opportunities," said Commissioner David Terrasi, 2nd Ward. "I know of many people here who are card-carrying members and travel to Lansing to Genessee County to get their product. We need to keep those dollars here."
If approved, there's a lot of work that needs to happen, including crafting ordinances and approving locations for manufacturers and dispensaries, before any applications are received and permits issued.
"That's what's important about opting in," said Commissioner Brentt Brunner, 4th Ward. "If we can't come up with rule and regulations that everyone is happy with, that we don't have to move forward with it."
Bangor Township is the most recent Bay County municipality to approve ordinances related to medical marijuana following months of work. Earlier this month, the township started accepting applications from commercial growers. To date, nearly 20 applicants have paid the nonrefundable $5,000 fee to either start growing, selling or transporting medical marijuana, said Bangor Supervisor Glenn Rowley.
Pinconning Township, which approved marijuana ordinances earlier this year, is experiencing an even higher level of interest.
About $350,000 in revenue from application fees has already come into the township, said Supervisor Sharon Salzburg. All 55 of its Class C licenses -- the largest grower license -- have been spoken for. And the township of about 2,500 people is now preparing for potentially more than $100 million in investments.
"It's going to be huge for this area," Salzburg said. "I was shocked to see the level of interest. It's absolutely crazy."
The township is hosting information sessions about the industry and the impact it could have on residents on Monday, Sept. 18. Three sessions are scheduled for 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the township hall, 1751 E. Cody Estey Road.
Terrasi is already envisioning what the medical marijuana industry could look like in Bay City. He wants to see all business districts zoned to accommodate dispensaries and potentially manufacturing facilities. He said the old Utermalon's Furniture store in the Johnson Street and the Allan's Shoes building in downtown Bay City are potential places for industry investors to pursue.
"If you can get some of these vacant buildings off the market, it's going to be a win-win all around," he said.
Bangor Township Supervisor Glenn Rowley warned Bay City officials, however, to not rush the process in hopes of securing investments.
"You need to do your homework and due diligence," he said. "You need to pay a lot of money to lawyers to protect your municipality. This is not like ordering lunch and you'll have what your neighbor is having. They need to talk to residents and make sure this is something the community wants."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Bay City to vote on opening the door for medical marijuana | MLive.com
Author: Andrew Dodson
Contact: MLive contacts, services and support | MLive Contacts - MLive.com
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Michigan Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - MLive.com
The Bay City Commission on Monday, Sept. 18, votes on a resolution to opt into the state's Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act. Approving the resolution sets the table for the city to start crafting specific ordinances related to the medical marijuana industry, but doesn't tie it down to welcoming manufacturers and dispensaries to town.
"This doesn't mean that it's coming to Bay City, it just opens the door," said Commissioner Ed Clements, 8th Ward, who authored the resolution.
Five votes are needed for approval. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 301 Washington Ave.
At least one commissioner says he has concerns about opting into the medical cannabis industry. Commissioner Lynn Stamiris, 1st Ward, says the city should wait for the "state to get its act together" on the issue before jumping into it.
"It's kind of like buying a new car in the first year of production," he said. "There are glitches that come out. I think rather than running and jumping into something like medical marijuana, we let these other communities work out the bugs."
Other commissioners say by not opting in, the city risks losing millions of dollar in investment.
"Absolutely, you don't want to miss out on those opportunities," said Commissioner David Terrasi, 2nd Ward. "I know of many people here who are card-carrying members and travel to Lansing to Genessee County to get their product. We need to keep those dollars here."
If approved, there's a lot of work that needs to happen, including crafting ordinances and approving locations for manufacturers and dispensaries, before any applications are received and permits issued.
"That's what's important about opting in," said Commissioner Brentt Brunner, 4th Ward. "If we can't come up with rule and regulations that everyone is happy with, that we don't have to move forward with it."
Bangor Township is the most recent Bay County municipality to approve ordinances related to medical marijuana following months of work. Earlier this month, the township started accepting applications from commercial growers. To date, nearly 20 applicants have paid the nonrefundable $5,000 fee to either start growing, selling or transporting medical marijuana, said Bangor Supervisor Glenn Rowley.
Pinconning Township, which approved marijuana ordinances earlier this year, is experiencing an even higher level of interest.
About $350,000 in revenue from application fees has already come into the township, said Supervisor Sharon Salzburg. All 55 of its Class C licenses -- the largest grower license -- have been spoken for. And the township of about 2,500 people is now preparing for potentially more than $100 million in investments.
"It's going to be huge for this area," Salzburg said. "I was shocked to see the level of interest. It's absolutely crazy."
The township is hosting information sessions about the industry and the impact it could have on residents on Monday, Sept. 18. Three sessions are scheduled for 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the township hall, 1751 E. Cody Estey Road.
Terrasi is already envisioning what the medical marijuana industry could look like in Bay City. He wants to see all business districts zoned to accommodate dispensaries and potentially manufacturing facilities. He said the old Utermalon's Furniture store in the Johnson Street and the Allan's Shoes building in downtown Bay City are potential places for industry investors to pursue.
"If you can get some of these vacant buildings off the market, it's going to be a win-win all around," he said.
Bangor Township Supervisor Glenn Rowley warned Bay City officials, however, to not rush the process in hopes of securing investments.
"You need to do your homework and due diligence," he said. "You need to pay a lot of money to lawyers to protect your municipality. This is not like ordering lunch and you'll have what your neighbor is having. They need to talk to residents and make sure this is something the community wants."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Bay City to vote on opening the door for medical marijuana | MLive.com
Author: Andrew Dodson
Contact: MLive contacts, services and support | MLive Contacts - MLive.com
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Michigan Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - MLive.com
