Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Saugatuck Township planners are recommending medical marijuana be allowed to be distributed from homes, not from traditional storefronts in commercial areas, despite pleas from residents to wait until the issue is resolved in the state courts.
The proposal, which must still be voted on by the township board before it goes into effect, leaves two dispensaries already operating in a commercial area on Blue Star Highway to an uncertain future.
The township will not immediately close down the dispensaries if the township board approves the proposed ordinance, township attorney Ron Bultje told the planning commission Monday, Aug. 22.
"It is not the desire of the township board to enter this fray until the picture is cleared," he said, referring to a pending state court decision.
The township board meets at 6 p.m. Sept. 7, at the township hall, 3461 Blue Star Highway.
On June 1, the township put a three-month moratorium on new medical marijuana facilities and asked the planning commission to draw up an ordinance covering the use.
The proposed zoning rules limit one registered caregiver to a home that must be more than 1,000 feet away from a school, library, family day care home or group day care home. It also allows a caregiver to operate in an attached garage or detached accessory building.
"It's premature to regulate this industry as a home-based use," said John Targowski of Saugatuck. The two sites on Blue Star Highway have not drawn any criminals or "adverse activity," he said.
Neighbors of a home-based medical marijuana site might not want the activity near them, Targowski said, a feeling shared by one planning commissioner.
"Having marijuana out of a home – I don't want it in my neighborhood," said commission Chairman Larry Edris.
The two dispensaries have been operating during the moratorium despite a statement by the township attorney that no facilities in the township are permitted to dispense medical marijuana.
The dispensaries are Good Intentions Paving Co., 3219 Blue Star Highway, owned by Tammy Jacobi, and The Great Turtle Emporium, 3383 Blue Star Highway, owned by Larry Darling.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: hollandsentinel.com
Author: JIM HAYDEN
Copyright: The Holland Sentinel
Contact: Contact Us - The Holland Sentinel
Website: Saugatuck Township planners: Medical marijuana a home-based business
The proposal, which must still be voted on by the township board before it goes into effect, leaves two dispensaries already operating in a commercial area on Blue Star Highway to an uncertain future.
The township will not immediately close down the dispensaries if the township board approves the proposed ordinance, township attorney Ron Bultje told the planning commission Monday, Aug. 22.
"It is not the desire of the township board to enter this fray until the picture is cleared," he said, referring to a pending state court decision.
The township board meets at 6 p.m. Sept. 7, at the township hall, 3461 Blue Star Highway.
On June 1, the township put a three-month moratorium on new medical marijuana facilities and asked the planning commission to draw up an ordinance covering the use.
The proposed zoning rules limit one registered caregiver to a home that must be more than 1,000 feet away from a school, library, family day care home or group day care home. It also allows a caregiver to operate in an attached garage or detached accessory building.
"It's premature to regulate this industry as a home-based use," said John Targowski of Saugatuck. The two sites on Blue Star Highway have not drawn any criminals or "adverse activity," he said.
Neighbors of a home-based medical marijuana site might not want the activity near them, Targowski said, a feeling shared by one planning commissioner.
"Having marijuana out of a home – I don't want it in my neighborhood," said commission Chairman Larry Edris.
The two dispensaries have been operating during the moratorium despite a statement by the township attorney that no facilities in the township are permitted to dispense medical marijuana.
The dispensaries are Good Intentions Paving Co., 3219 Blue Star Highway, owned by Tammy Jacobi, and The Great Turtle Emporium, 3383 Blue Star Highway, owned by Larry Darling.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: hollandsentinel.com
Author: JIM HAYDEN
Copyright: The Holland Sentinel
Contact: Contact Us - The Holland Sentinel
Website: Saugatuck Township planners: Medical marijuana a home-based business
