PORTAGE (WKZO AM/FM) — The Portage City Council has approved medical marijuana ordinances that could allow up to 10 dispensaries and 15 grow operations.
Few believe that many businesses will open because of the tough package of regulations that has also been approved.
It was not unanimous, Council Members Terry Urban and Claudette Reid were no votes.
Urban opposed it because recent polling showed residents wanted a cap on dispensaries, but tempers flared over differing interpretations of the polling results.
Reid opposes it because they really don’t know how it will impact property values, the environment, crime, or the community’s children.
A majority of supporters felt the tough and restrictive regulations will protect the community from any harm that might come from the operations.
Even with the ordinance now in place, it will still take several months for applicants to go through the local and state process and become licensed.
