KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo City Commissioners are continuing a city opt-out of allowing recreational marijuana businesses in the city.
During a meeting Monday night, commissioners weighed in on the matter, deciding to delay the matter until June 1st.
The delay was decided on largely due to unclear regulatory rules from the State of Michigan, making a need to have more time to create a good plan.
“We’re going to have the best rollout that we can possibly have here in the City of Kalamazoo,” Commissioner David Anderson said.
Some citizens were in support of the decision.
“I really, really appreciate that what you are doing with this is not the easy way out,” one citizen commented, citing how the city addressed the issue of medical marijuana previously.
Some board members, including Mayor Bobby Hopewell, would have liked to see the matter dealt with earlier than June 1st.
“I’m all about the delayed opt-in, I think that needs to happen,” Hopewell said. “I would rather see that done in a six month rather than an eight-month period.”
The motion to delay the matter was ultimately passed, but the idea to discuss the issue earlier than June was not carried.
Commissioners were also given a presentation earlier in the day by representatives of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to learn about a social equity program and how it would work in Kalamazoo.
The program is meant to help communities that have been disproportionately affected by marijuana enforcement laws.
The State of Michigan will begin accepting applications for recreational businesses next month.
