Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
City Council is expected to consider tonight at City Hall new amendments to a medical marijuana ordinance that's been on the books for six years.
Two council members and Mayor Virg Bernero said in a news release today the amendments are needed to "align city policies with the new state law."
"The old ordinance is way out of synch with current state law because so much has changed over the past six years," Bernero said in statement. "We must have effective regulation of this industry in Lansing, which means the old ordinance needs to be brought up to date by the City Council as soon as possible."
Council passed a marijuana ordinance last month that was supposed to go into effect Saturday. It was put on hold because a group called Let Lansing Vote filed petitions seeking a referendum.
At the time the 2011 ordinance was written, the state's medical marijuana statute did not address the issue of businesses selling medical marijuana. Instead, it allowed for patients and caregivers to register with the state and grow fixed numbers of plants.
When provisioning centers began popping up in Lansing, City Council passed the 2011 ordinance to regulate them, but Attorney General Bill Schuette said dispensaries were not legal under state law so the city had never enforced the 2011 ordinance.
Until state officials created a new statute to govern commercial marijuana businesses late last year, there was no legal status for such businesses although some cities such as Lansing have generally allowed them. Council spent more than a year working on the 2017 medical marijuana ordinance that was blocked by the petition drive.
Council is expected to discuss marijuana regulations and the 2011 ordinance at the today's 5:30 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting on the 10th floor of City Hall. It will be open to the public. Council's general meeting is scheduled to follow at 7 p.m.
The Let Lansing Vote group submitted about 6,400 signatures on Friday to City Clerk Chris Swope's office and needs at least 4,600 valid signatures. Those signatures blocked the city's newest medical marijuana ordinance, which was to have gone into effect on Saturday.
As of today, Swope has 13 calendar days to review signatures and petitions to determine if the signatures and forms are "valid and proper."
At-Large Council Member Carol Wood questioned this morning why council should make amendments to a 2011 ordinance while it's waiting on Swope's office to determine if a referendum attempt of an ordnance passed last month can move forward.
"You have so much of this that seems to be done in the dark of night," Wood said of proposed amendments to the 2011 ordinance.
If Swope finds the signatures and group's petitions valid, then council has 30 days to repeal the ordinance council approved on Sept. 7 or submit it to city voters.
Council President Patricia Spitzley and At-Large Council Member Judi Brown Clarke also support amendments for the city's 2011 ordinance.
Clarke is running for mayor this fall against State Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing.
"I believe most Lansing residents support having a well-regulated medical marijuana industry with clear rules and regulations that protect neighborhoods and public safety, allow patients to continue to access their medicine, and permit people who are creating jobs and making significant investments in Lansing to move forward with their plans," Clarke said in a statement. "These are the goals and principles guiding the ordinance amendments I will introduce this evening."
Let Lansing Vote's referendum attempt stops the city's plan to begin accepting applications for licenses to operate certain commercial marijuana establishments.
Before the group submitted signatures, the Swope's office had planned to accept applications beginning today.
The city's medical marijuana ordinance that council approved on Sept. 7 sets up licensing for five types of marijuana businesses:
-provisioning centers (also known as dispensaries)
-safety compliance facilities
-processor facilities
-secure transporter facilities
-grower facilities
For all marijuana establishments to operating in the city, officials will require licenses from both the city and state.
First Ward Council Member Jody Washington said this morning she is frustrated with the city's efforts to regulate medical marijuana and multiple ordinances officials have voted on and reviewed.
"I swear one would think the only thing we had going on in this city is pot," Washington wrote. "Trust me, there are many more serious issues than pot that are not being dealt with."
Lansing's ordinance approved by council last month aims to cap provisioning centers at 25, but does not set limits on the number of other types of facilities.
The city isn't expected to grant people licenses until state officials have their own licensing structure in place. The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is expected to have applications for licenses available on its website Dec. 15.
Follow lsj.com for updates from tonight's meeting. Below is a look at the 2011 ordinance and proposed amendments from Bernero, Spitzley and Clarke.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana showdown expected tonight at City Hall
Author: Eric Lacy
Contact: How to Reach Us | lansingstatejournal.com
Photo Credit: Flickr
Website: Lansing State Journal - Home
Two council members and Mayor Virg Bernero said in a news release today the amendments are needed to "align city policies with the new state law."
"The old ordinance is way out of synch with current state law because so much has changed over the past six years," Bernero said in statement. "We must have effective regulation of this industry in Lansing, which means the old ordinance needs to be brought up to date by the City Council as soon as possible."
Council passed a marijuana ordinance last month that was supposed to go into effect Saturday. It was put on hold because a group called Let Lansing Vote filed petitions seeking a referendum.
At the time the 2011 ordinance was written, the state's medical marijuana statute did not address the issue of businesses selling medical marijuana. Instead, it allowed for patients and caregivers to register with the state and grow fixed numbers of plants.
When provisioning centers began popping up in Lansing, City Council passed the 2011 ordinance to regulate them, but Attorney General Bill Schuette said dispensaries were not legal under state law so the city had never enforced the 2011 ordinance.
Until state officials created a new statute to govern commercial marijuana businesses late last year, there was no legal status for such businesses although some cities such as Lansing have generally allowed them. Council spent more than a year working on the 2017 medical marijuana ordinance that was blocked by the petition drive.
Council is expected to discuss marijuana regulations and the 2011 ordinance at the today's 5:30 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting on the 10th floor of City Hall. It will be open to the public. Council's general meeting is scheduled to follow at 7 p.m.
The Let Lansing Vote group submitted about 6,400 signatures on Friday to City Clerk Chris Swope's office and needs at least 4,600 valid signatures. Those signatures blocked the city's newest medical marijuana ordinance, which was to have gone into effect on Saturday.
As of today, Swope has 13 calendar days to review signatures and petitions to determine if the signatures and forms are "valid and proper."
At-Large Council Member Carol Wood questioned this morning why council should make amendments to a 2011 ordinance while it's waiting on Swope's office to determine if a referendum attempt of an ordnance passed last month can move forward.
"You have so much of this that seems to be done in the dark of night," Wood said of proposed amendments to the 2011 ordinance.
If Swope finds the signatures and group's petitions valid, then council has 30 days to repeal the ordinance council approved on Sept. 7 or submit it to city voters.
Council President Patricia Spitzley and At-Large Council Member Judi Brown Clarke also support amendments for the city's 2011 ordinance.
Clarke is running for mayor this fall against State Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing.
"I believe most Lansing residents support having a well-regulated medical marijuana industry with clear rules and regulations that protect neighborhoods and public safety, allow patients to continue to access their medicine, and permit people who are creating jobs and making significant investments in Lansing to move forward with their plans," Clarke said in a statement. "These are the goals and principles guiding the ordinance amendments I will introduce this evening."
Let Lansing Vote's referendum attempt stops the city's plan to begin accepting applications for licenses to operate certain commercial marijuana establishments.
Before the group submitted signatures, the Swope's office had planned to accept applications beginning today.
The city's medical marijuana ordinance that council approved on Sept. 7 sets up licensing for five types of marijuana businesses:
-provisioning centers (also known as dispensaries)
-safety compliance facilities
-processor facilities
-secure transporter facilities
-grower facilities
For all marijuana establishments to operating in the city, officials will require licenses from both the city and state.
First Ward Council Member Jody Washington said this morning she is frustrated with the city's efforts to regulate medical marijuana and multiple ordinances officials have voted on and reviewed.
"I swear one would think the only thing we had going on in this city is pot," Washington wrote. "Trust me, there are many more serious issues than pot that are not being dealt with."
Lansing's ordinance approved by council last month aims to cap provisioning centers at 25, but does not set limits on the number of other types of facilities.
The city isn't expected to grant people licenses until state officials have their own licensing structure in place. The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is expected to have applications for licenses available on its website Dec. 15.
Follow lsj.com for updates from tonight's meeting. Below is a look at the 2011 ordinance and proposed amendments from Bernero, Spitzley and Clarke.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana showdown expected tonight at City Hall
Author: Eric Lacy
Contact: How to Reach Us | lansingstatejournal.com
Photo Credit: Flickr
Website: Lansing State Journal - Home
