Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A group called Let Lansing Vote filed petitions Friday afternoon seeking a referendum on the city's a new medical marijuana ordinance.
The ordinance for commercial properties was approved by City Council last month and was supposed to go into effect on Saturday. If the group turned in enough signatures, either the council must repeal the ordinance or send it to city voters, which would not happen until 2018.
City Clerk Chris Swope has 15 calendar days to review the petitions and determine if the signatures and forms are "valid and proper."
The group needs at least 4,600 valid signatures, Swope said.
If Swope finds the signatures and group's petitions valid, then City Council has 30 days to repeal the ordinance or submit it to city voters.
"Lansing citizens and activists spoke out against the ordinance the day it was passed, and the City Council didn't listen," said Sarah Galey, a spokesperson for the group. "We think the citizens of Lansing deserve a vote on this issue."
Swope said the referendum attempt also stops the city's plan to begin accepting applications on Monday for licenses to operate certain commercial marijuana establishments.
"Right now, until we finish the review, we are not doing anything," Swope said.
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.
The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) emphasized in a statement sent Wednesday to the Lansing State Journal that compliance with local ordinances is necessary for state licensure of a medical marijuana establishment, but doesn't guarantee state approval.
"Proactive policies by local municipalities should help businesses make their preparatory plans for the state licensing process, which begins December 15," said David Harns, a LARA spokesman.
Lansing's ordinance approved by council aims to cap provisioning centers at 25, but does not set limits on the number of other types of facilities.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Petition blocks marijuana ordinance, application submissions
Author: Eric Lacy
Contact: How to Reach Us | lansingstatejournal.com
Photo Credit: Eric Lacy
Website: Lansing State Journal - Home
The ordinance for commercial properties was approved by City Council last month and was supposed to go into effect on Saturday. If the group turned in enough signatures, either the council must repeal the ordinance or send it to city voters, which would not happen until 2018.
City Clerk Chris Swope has 15 calendar days to review the petitions and determine if the signatures and forms are "valid and proper."
The group needs at least 4,600 valid signatures, Swope said.
If Swope finds the signatures and group's petitions valid, then City Council has 30 days to repeal the ordinance or submit it to city voters.
"Lansing citizens and activists spoke out against the ordinance the day it was passed, and the City Council didn't listen," said Sarah Galey, a spokesperson for the group. "We think the citizens of Lansing deserve a vote on this issue."
Swope said the referendum attempt also stops the city's plan to begin accepting applications on Monday for licenses to operate certain commercial marijuana establishments.
"Right now, until we finish the review, we are not doing anything," Swope said.
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.
The state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) emphasized in a statement sent Wednesday to the Lansing State Journal that compliance with local ordinances is necessary for state licensure of a medical marijuana establishment, but doesn't guarantee state approval.
"Proactive policies by local municipalities should help businesses make their preparatory plans for the state licensing process, which begins December 15," said David Harns, a LARA spokesman.
Lansing's ordinance approved by council aims to cap provisioning centers at 25, but does not set limits on the number of other types of facilities.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Petition blocks marijuana ordinance, application submissions
Author: Eric Lacy
Contact: How to Reach Us | lansingstatejournal.com
Photo Credit: Eric Lacy
Website: Lansing State Journal - Home
