PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Portage City Council has voted unanimously to “opt-out” of the recreational marijuana business until the state sets rules and regulations for the new industry.
The voter approved initiative gives the state a year to create a distribution chain and licensing regulations similar to the one that currently regulates alcoholic beverages.
City Manager Larry Shaffer says they need to wait until that happens.
The City Council will revisit the issue in six months.
That may be optimistic. It’s taken the state 10-years to figure out medical marijuana, and they are still working on that.
In the meantime, after the new law takes effect early next month, residents will be allowed to grow their own pot and be in possession of specific amounts.
They just won’t be able to purchase it legally in Portage unless they have a medical marijuana card.
