Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
City Council has approved four out five people who will serve on an appellate board for medical marijuana licenses.
The city will issue licenses to 25 medical marijuana dispensaries.
The unpaid members of the Lansing medical marijuana commission will hear appeals from applicants who are denied licenses by the city clerk.
The city has not received any applications so far, City Clerk Chris Swope said Monday.
The city's applications became available Nov. 16 and are due by Dec. 15.
Marijuana businesses in Lansing also will need a state license. The state's applications will be available next month.
Mayor Virg Bernero, whose term will expire at the end of this year, selected the four people who will serve on the Medical Marijuana Commission.
City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve his appointments.
The commissioners are:
-Brockton Feltman is a graduate student studying water policy and community sustainability at Michigan State University and an intern in the office of state Rep. Brian Elder, D- Bay City. He will serve a three-year term representing the 1st ward.
-Anita Turner is a retired public health administrator and a registered nurse. She will serve a one-year term representing the 3rd ward.
-John Addis is the CEO and creative director at Addis Enterprises, a design and marketing firm. He will serve a three-year term representing the 4th ward.
-Tracy Winston is an attorney and a policy adviser to the Michigan House Democrats on healthcare and insurance. She will serve a two-year term as an at-large representative.
The city still needs a fifth person to serve on the commission and represent the 2nd ward.
The city's 2017 medical marijuana ordinance states the commissioners must be Lansing residents and cannot have "direct financial interest" in a medical marijuana facility. They are also prohibited from holding a local government position that is supported by Lansing property taxes,
During public comments, three residents expressed concern about the appointments, arguing the process had been hasty.
First Ward Council Member Jody Washington questioned the expertise of Feltman, specifically, though she ultimately approved his appointment.
"We've really by taking a hit on this council for not really vetting the people we appoint to boards. We've been a rubber stamp," Washington said when interviewing Feltman. "I just want you to know how serious this board is. I'm not the one to try to make you feel good about yourself."
None of the appointees had applied specifically for the medical marijuana commission, though they had expressed broad interest in serving the public. The applications can be read online.
Two of the candidates applied to serve on boards before the medical marijuana commission existed. Council created the commission when it passed a medical marijuana ordinance on Sept. 7. The ordinance sets regulations for medical marijuana facilities and limits the numbers of dispensaries. It does not limit the number of businesses in other categories, such as growers or transporters.
A pro-marijuana campaign called Let Lansing Vote is challenging the ordinance. The group petitioned to bring the issue to a referendum. After the city clerk told Let Lansing Vote its petition was 26 signatures short, the group filed a lawsuit against the city.
During Monday's meeting, members of Let Lansing Vote read the names of people who had signed the petition, arguing the names represented "disenfranchised voters who deserve to have their voices heard."
The campaign wants city council to raise the number of licensed dispensaries to 48
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lansing appoints appeals board for denied medical marijuana licenses
Author: Sarah Lehr
Contact: How to Reach Us | lansingstatejournal.com
Photo Credit: Anthony Souffle
Website: Lansing State Journal - Home
The city will issue licenses to 25 medical marijuana dispensaries.
The unpaid members of the Lansing medical marijuana commission will hear appeals from applicants who are denied licenses by the city clerk.
The city has not received any applications so far, City Clerk Chris Swope said Monday.
The city's applications became available Nov. 16 and are due by Dec. 15.
Marijuana businesses in Lansing also will need a state license. The state's applications will be available next month.
Mayor Virg Bernero, whose term will expire at the end of this year, selected the four people who will serve on the Medical Marijuana Commission.
City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve his appointments.
The commissioners are:
-Brockton Feltman is a graduate student studying water policy and community sustainability at Michigan State University and an intern in the office of state Rep. Brian Elder, D- Bay City. He will serve a three-year term representing the 1st ward.
-Anita Turner is a retired public health administrator and a registered nurse. She will serve a one-year term representing the 3rd ward.
-John Addis is the CEO and creative director at Addis Enterprises, a design and marketing firm. He will serve a three-year term representing the 4th ward.
-Tracy Winston is an attorney and a policy adviser to the Michigan House Democrats on healthcare and insurance. She will serve a two-year term as an at-large representative.
The city still needs a fifth person to serve on the commission and represent the 2nd ward.
The city's 2017 medical marijuana ordinance states the commissioners must be Lansing residents and cannot have "direct financial interest" in a medical marijuana facility. They are also prohibited from holding a local government position that is supported by Lansing property taxes,
During public comments, three residents expressed concern about the appointments, arguing the process had been hasty.
First Ward Council Member Jody Washington questioned the expertise of Feltman, specifically, though she ultimately approved his appointment.
"We've really by taking a hit on this council for not really vetting the people we appoint to boards. We've been a rubber stamp," Washington said when interviewing Feltman. "I just want you to know how serious this board is. I'm not the one to try to make you feel good about yourself."
None of the appointees had applied specifically for the medical marijuana commission, though they had expressed broad interest in serving the public. The applications can be read online.
Two of the candidates applied to serve on boards before the medical marijuana commission existed. Council created the commission when it passed a medical marijuana ordinance on Sept. 7. The ordinance sets regulations for medical marijuana facilities and limits the numbers of dispensaries. It does not limit the number of businesses in other categories, such as growers or transporters.
A pro-marijuana campaign called Let Lansing Vote is challenging the ordinance. The group petitioned to bring the issue to a referendum. After the city clerk told Let Lansing Vote its petition was 26 signatures short, the group filed a lawsuit against the city.
During Monday's meeting, members of Let Lansing Vote read the names of people who had signed the petition, arguing the names represented "disenfranchised voters who deserve to have their voices heard."
The campaign wants city council to raise the number of licensed dispensaries to 48
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lansing appoints appeals board for denied medical marijuana licenses
Author: Sarah Lehr
Contact: How to Reach Us | lansingstatejournal.com
Photo Credit: Anthony Souffle
Website: Lansing State Journal - Home
