Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
For the first time in six years, City Hall will hold a public hearing to discuss a proposed medical marijuana ordinance.
With a 5-3 vote, City Council passed a motion Monday night to hold an Aug. 14 public hearing during its 7 p.m. general meeting on the 10th floor of City Hall, At-Large Council Member Carol Wood said Tuesday.
This public hearing will discuss the latest draft of an ordinance that would, if passed, establish regulations for commercial marijuana establishments.
A local ordinance for marijuana establishments, including dispensaries, would coincide with a state statute and related regulations that are expected to be created by a licensing board.
Under this scenario, Lansing would not issue licenses for establishments until the state issues its own, Wood said.
Wood, 1st Ward Council Member Jody Washington and 3rd Ward Council Member Adam Hussain opposed Monday's motion.
Three of the five council members who approved Monday's motion will be on the Aug. 8 primary election ballot. The general election is Nov. 7.
At-Large Council Member Judi Brown Clarke is running for mayor; At-Large Council Member Kathie Dunbar and 2nd Ward Council Member Tina Houghton seek re-election.
The three council members gave their opinions on proposed regulations for marijuana establishments this month when they responded to the Lansing State Journal's election questionnaire.
Clarke's stance on issue: Where mayoral candidates stand on Lansing's key issues.
Houghton's take: 2nd Ward Council candidates respond to urgent city issues.
Dunbar's response: Diverse field of At-Large Council candidates speak out on issues.
Council's passage of a public hearing for a proposed marijuana ordinance comes at a time when a group called Lansing Loves Safe Jobs has created its own proposed ordinance.
The group filed about 6,300 petition signatures with the City Clerk's Office on July 18. The city's Election Commission was scheduled to meet 2 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall to review those signatures.
If enough signatures are validated by the clerk's office, the group's ordinance will be submitted to council for consideration. The council would have 30 days to either direct the ordinance to the ballot or adopt it as is.
City officials have estimated there are up to 70 marijuana dispensaries currently open in Lansing. Dispensaries were not mentioned in the original medical marijuana statute passed by voters in 2008 and for a time were considered illegal by state officials. That changed when lawmakers passed a statute to provide for regulation of marijuana businesses last year, although work needed to establish rules and a licensing process is not yet complete.
In 2011, council members passed a marijuana ordinance that remains on the books. But it has been difficult for officials to enforce. The city set a moratorium for the opening of new marijuana establishments on May 21, 2016.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana ordinance public hearing set by council
Author: Eric Lacy
Contact: How to Reach Us | lansingstatejournal.com
Photo Credit: Eric Lacy
Website: Lansing State Journal - Home
With a 5-3 vote, City Council passed a motion Monday night to hold an Aug. 14 public hearing during its 7 p.m. general meeting on the 10th floor of City Hall, At-Large Council Member Carol Wood said Tuesday.
This public hearing will discuss the latest draft of an ordinance that would, if passed, establish regulations for commercial marijuana establishments.
A local ordinance for marijuana establishments, including dispensaries, would coincide with a state statute and related regulations that are expected to be created by a licensing board.
Under this scenario, Lansing would not issue licenses for establishments until the state issues its own, Wood said.
Wood, 1st Ward Council Member Jody Washington and 3rd Ward Council Member Adam Hussain opposed Monday's motion.
Three of the five council members who approved Monday's motion will be on the Aug. 8 primary election ballot. The general election is Nov. 7.
At-Large Council Member Judi Brown Clarke is running for mayor; At-Large Council Member Kathie Dunbar and 2nd Ward Council Member Tina Houghton seek re-election.
The three council members gave their opinions on proposed regulations for marijuana establishments this month when they responded to the Lansing State Journal's election questionnaire.
Clarke's stance on issue: Where mayoral candidates stand on Lansing's key issues.
Houghton's take: 2nd Ward Council candidates respond to urgent city issues.
Dunbar's response: Diverse field of At-Large Council candidates speak out on issues.
Council's passage of a public hearing for a proposed marijuana ordinance comes at a time when a group called Lansing Loves Safe Jobs has created its own proposed ordinance.
The group filed about 6,300 petition signatures with the City Clerk's Office on July 18. The city's Election Commission was scheduled to meet 2 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall to review those signatures.
If enough signatures are validated by the clerk's office, the group's ordinance will be submitted to council for consideration. The council would have 30 days to either direct the ordinance to the ballot or adopt it as is.
City officials have estimated there are up to 70 marijuana dispensaries currently open in Lansing. Dispensaries were not mentioned in the original medical marijuana statute passed by voters in 2008 and for a time were considered illegal by state officials. That changed when lawmakers passed a statute to provide for regulation of marijuana businesses last year, although work needed to establish rules and a licensing process is not yet complete.
In 2011, council members passed a marijuana ordinance that remains on the books. But it has been difficult for officials to enforce. The city set a moratorium for the opening of new marijuana establishments on May 21, 2016.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana ordinance public hearing set by council
Author: Eric Lacy
Contact: How to Reach Us | lansingstatejournal.com
Photo Credit: Eric Lacy
Website: Lansing State Journal - Home
