KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP (WKZO-AM) — Municipal Attorney Catherine Kaufman says local governments have some decisions to make about medical marijuana now that the state has adopted new reforms.
The Michigan Legislature has left it up to local units to decide whether or not they will allow the business activities that the new format for growing and distributing medical marijuana creates and how to zone them.
Dispensaries, grow operations, transport, and testing will all be licensed separately. Each community will have to decide first whether they want to allow any to operate within their jurisdiction. They they will to draft appropriate zoning if they do.
Kaufman told Kalamazoo Township trustees Monday night they’re are already hearing from folks and medical marijuana businesses both in and out of state who want to set up operations in Michigan.
On the one hand, it could mean a huge growth industry and jobs, especially if recreational use is ever approved. On the other hand, it’s Marijuana and some may squirm at the idea of welcoming a business that is still technically a violation of federal law.
Kaufman says the State won’t be issuing licenses until December 2017, so the local governments will have time to sort it out.
As we reported last week, Kalamazoo city voters have already approved a charter amendment requiring the location of dispensaries in town. City Attorney Clyde Robinson said they still have a discussion ahead on the other services.
