Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The Portage City Council will have a special meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, to consider an emergency ordinance to allow a medical marijuana dispensary to continue to operate.
Along with deciding if Lake Effect should stay in business while it pursues a state license, the council will also determine if it should pursue an ordinance on local control of medical marijuana facilities.
If it does, a special committee of the whole meeting has been set for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19 to talk about specifics of such an ordinance.
The council batted around times and dates for the special meeting Tuesday night before reaching a 4-2 vote on Dec. 12. The big indecision was around Councilwoman Claudette Reid's indication she could not attend the session but would be available via some type of conference call. Five votes are needed for approval of the emergency ordinance.
The emergency ordinance comes about because the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs recently issued a bulletin that said in places where patients have developed relationships with caregiver facilities, municipalities can allow medical marijuana dispensaries to remain open past Dec. 15.
But, the department said, the local government must adopt an ordinance allowing it before then. Lake Effect, which has been allowed to operate in the city for more than two years, would need council action before Dec. 15, prompting the special meeting.
Medical marijuana entrepreneurs can apply to operate one of five types of facilities on Dec. 15, and LARA will begin giving out 1-year renewable licenses during the first quarter of 2018.
While one councilman, Terry Urban, said that the city did not need to take any action on an emergency ordinance - meaning Lake Effect could just shut down while it applies for a state license - most of the council felt the emergency action was needed because the provision center is providing a needed service.
"I think it's important for compassionate care that we do not close a dispensary serving the medical needs of the community," said Mayor Patricia Randall. "I do feel there is a sense of urgency on this."
The issue has been at the top of the new council's list since the Nov. 7 election. Tuesday's discussion follows the Nov. 30 committee of the whole meeting that lasted more than three hours and drew several speakers, most supporting city medical marijuana ordinances.
While the seven council members have said they support some type of ordinance, they differ on the specifics such as how many plants a grower could have; if the city should also get into regulating safety compliance facilities, provisioning centers and transporters; or if it should start slow and just deal with provision centers and growers.
Portage joins other area municipalities in tackling the issue. Kalamazoo Township recently voted to opt-in on allowing medical marijuana facilities. The city of Kalamazoo decided to wait until rules were released last week. Comstock Township voted this week not to allow medical marijuana facilities.
At Tuesday's council meeting, representatives of the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force spoke about the dangers of marijuana use and urged the council to use caution on any ordinances dealing with the substance.
"We want to educate the community on the impact of marijuana," said Ashley Bergeon, task force coordinator who was joined by two local high school students. "There are unintended consequences of legalizing it."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Portage sets Dec. 12 special meeting on medical marijuana | MLive.com
Author: Tom Haroldson
Contact: MLive contacts, services and support | MLive Contacts - MLive.com
Photo Credit: Jim Mone
Website: Michigan Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - MLive.com
Along with deciding if Lake Effect should stay in business while it pursues a state license, the council will also determine if it should pursue an ordinance on local control of medical marijuana facilities.
If it does, a special committee of the whole meeting has been set for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19 to talk about specifics of such an ordinance.
The council batted around times and dates for the special meeting Tuesday night before reaching a 4-2 vote on Dec. 12. The big indecision was around Councilwoman Claudette Reid's indication she could not attend the session but would be available via some type of conference call. Five votes are needed for approval of the emergency ordinance.
The emergency ordinance comes about because the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs recently issued a bulletin that said in places where patients have developed relationships with caregiver facilities, municipalities can allow medical marijuana dispensaries to remain open past Dec. 15.
But, the department said, the local government must adopt an ordinance allowing it before then. Lake Effect, which has been allowed to operate in the city for more than two years, would need council action before Dec. 15, prompting the special meeting.
Medical marijuana entrepreneurs can apply to operate one of five types of facilities on Dec. 15, and LARA will begin giving out 1-year renewable licenses during the first quarter of 2018.
While one councilman, Terry Urban, said that the city did not need to take any action on an emergency ordinance - meaning Lake Effect could just shut down while it applies for a state license - most of the council felt the emergency action was needed because the provision center is providing a needed service.
"I think it's important for compassionate care that we do not close a dispensary serving the medical needs of the community," said Mayor Patricia Randall. "I do feel there is a sense of urgency on this."
The issue has been at the top of the new council's list since the Nov. 7 election. Tuesday's discussion follows the Nov. 30 committee of the whole meeting that lasted more than three hours and drew several speakers, most supporting city medical marijuana ordinances.
While the seven council members have said they support some type of ordinance, they differ on the specifics such as how many plants a grower could have; if the city should also get into regulating safety compliance facilities, provisioning centers and transporters; or if it should start slow and just deal with provision centers and growers.
Portage joins other area municipalities in tackling the issue. Kalamazoo Township recently voted to opt-in on allowing medical marijuana facilities. The city of Kalamazoo decided to wait until rules were released last week. Comstock Township voted this week not to allow medical marijuana facilities.
At Tuesday's council meeting, representatives of the Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force spoke about the dangers of marijuana use and urged the council to use caution on any ordinances dealing with the substance.
"We want to educate the community on the impact of marijuana," said Ashley Bergeon, task force coordinator who was joined by two local high school students. "There are unintended consequences of legalizing it."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Portage sets Dec. 12 special meeting on medical marijuana | MLive.com
Author: Tom Haroldson
Contact: MLive contacts, services and support | MLive Contacts - MLive.com
Photo Credit: Jim Mone
Website: Michigan Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - MLive.com
