Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Certain medical marijuana businesses, such as growing centers and transporters, will be allowed in Marshall when the state begins its licensing process at the end of the year.
The City Council during its regular meeting Monday unanimously adopted an ordinance that permits four of the five medical marijuana operations allowed under state law. Dispensaries, also called provisioning centers, will be prohibited.
"If all the trending is accurate, recreational use of marijuana will be approved by the voters in the state," Councilmember Brent Williams said before casting his vote. "So it really doesn't matter what my personal opinion is. What matters is how do we as local government accommodate with the wishes of the people in our state?"
Marshall is the first municipality in Calhoun County to allow medical marijuana since Gov. Rick Snyder signed laws in September. Emmett Township is expected to take a vote this week, and Battle Creek city commissioners have held public discussions but have not considered any ordinances.
Under the ordinance, medical marijuana operations – growing, processing, transporting and safety testing – will be allowed in some areas zone for industrial property.
Marshall City Attorney Jim Dyer encouraged councilmembers to act early, despite the state not implementing a licensing process until the end of this year.
Under state law, municipalities can decide against taking any action. But Dyer warned councilmembers that without an ordinance, the city could be subject to a lawsuit that would leave the determination up to a court.
"You can take no action, and by doing so, you're effectively prohibiting every use under the statute," Dyer told the council. "We think that's not very good. From the aspect of proactively avoiding litigation regarding this, it's not good, and it's also not good from an economic development perspective."
Marshall's ordinance stipulates that medical marijuana operations cannot be within nearly 6,000 feet of each other. The council voted to remove a previously considered 1,500-foot distance from schools.
Each operation must have a security plan that would be approved by the city manager.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marshall allows some medical marijuana operations
Author: Jennifer Bowman
Contact: Contact Us | battlecreekenquirer.com
Photo Credit: Sam Harnett
Website: Battle Creek Enquirer | Battle Creek, MI
The City Council during its regular meeting Monday unanimously adopted an ordinance that permits four of the five medical marijuana operations allowed under state law. Dispensaries, also called provisioning centers, will be prohibited.
"If all the trending is accurate, recreational use of marijuana will be approved by the voters in the state," Councilmember Brent Williams said before casting his vote. "So it really doesn't matter what my personal opinion is. What matters is how do we as local government accommodate with the wishes of the people in our state?"
Marshall is the first municipality in Calhoun County to allow medical marijuana since Gov. Rick Snyder signed laws in September. Emmett Township is expected to take a vote this week, and Battle Creek city commissioners have held public discussions but have not considered any ordinances.
Under the ordinance, medical marijuana operations – growing, processing, transporting and safety testing – will be allowed in some areas zone for industrial property.
Marshall City Attorney Jim Dyer encouraged councilmembers to act early, despite the state not implementing a licensing process until the end of this year.
Under state law, municipalities can decide against taking any action. But Dyer warned councilmembers that without an ordinance, the city could be subject to a lawsuit that would leave the determination up to a court.
"You can take no action, and by doing so, you're effectively prohibiting every use under the statute," Dyer told the council. "We think that's not very good. From the aspect of proactively avoiding litigation regarding this, it's not good, and it's also not good from an economic development perspective."
Marshall's ordinance stipulates that medical marijuana operations cannot be within nearly 6,000 feet of each other. The council voted to remove a previously considered 1,500-foot distance from schools.
Each operation must have a security plan that would be approved by the city manager.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marshall allows some medical marijuana operations
Author: Jennifer Bowman
Contact: Contact Us | battlecreekenquirer.com
Photo Credit: Sam Harnett
Website: Battle Creek Enquirer | Battle Creek, MI
