Lansing Proposing A Moratorium?

[imiubu]

Back to News Updated: 12:10 AM Nov 30, 2010

 

Lansing City Council Considering Moratorium on Pot Businesses

The City of Lansing is trying to put the brakes on new medical marijuana businesses in the city with a proposed year-long moratorium. Existing businesses would be unaffected.

Posted: 12:00 AM Nov 30, 2010

 

Reporter: Alex Goldsmith

Email Address: alex.goldsmith@wilx.com

 

 

• Story

The growing number of dispensaries, compassionate care clubs and hydroponics stores in Lansing in the two years since Michigan's Medical Marijuana Act was approved by voters is causing the city to look at slowing things down.

 

The City Council introduced a proposed ordinance that would block new businesses from opening up in town. The moratorium would last a year but could be shortened if the city comes up licensing or regulation. Currently opened businesses would not be affected by the moratorium.

 

"It would give us a year to work through this information and come up with a cohesive ordinance that will be the most effective for Lansing," said city Councillor Carol Wood.

 

Some local dispensary owners are in favor of a moratorium because it would allow the city time to institute regulations around issues like security, insurance and zoning.

 

"We applaud the city of Lansing for doing this," said Ryan Basore of Capital City Caregivers. "This gives the city a chance to slow down and look at what they can do to regulate our industry."

 

But not everyone is in favor of the ordinance.

 

"This is a business and these people need to have a right for business," said John Pollard, a Lansing resident who thinks that the proposed moratorium is too long. "We can't keep this up too long because this is a legitimate business, no matter what some people may think."

 

Council members Kathie Dunbar and Jessica Yorko both voted against even setting a public hearing to discuss the ordinance because of issues they had with the length and breadth of the moratorium.

 

East Lansing attorney Jeffrey Hank has been looking to open a moratorium in East Lansing but has been stymied by a similar moratorium in place in that city. He's in favor of a more laissez faire approach to the industry.

 

"We're not putting moratoriums on other businesses," said Hanks. "It seems like we ought to be bringing this into the legitimate limelight and passing a moratorium doesn't allow others to do that."

 

The council is expected to vote on the ordinance on December 6th following a public hearing.

 

I suggest as many of us show up and speak on this as possible!

 

Uber cool that it won't affect the businesses already open although a Year is a bit ridiculous.

[+wolfgang]

are we going?

[pipefitterman]

I wonder why more MI. cities don't follow Lansing's willingness to accept dispensaries/compassionate care clubs? Maybe a moratorium would be a good thing, maybe some time is what we need, I mean.... after all it's our Capitol City, what better place is there to fight this battle?? just asking.

[Wayne'sWorld]

Limited licensing going to the highest bidder, followed by significant yearly renewals? Great revenue generating idea! Michigan Cannabis Control Commission?

[Wayne'sWorld]

"The Arizona Department of Health is expected to have a draft of the rules that will govern medical marijuana dispensaries available for public comment by Jan. 31. The final rules are expected by March 28, and DHS will begin accepting applications in April. Only 124 dispensary licenses will be granted.

 

Setting up a medical marijuana dispensary will not be cheap. There will be a non-refundable application fee of $5,000. Opening and running a dispensary, including setting up a growing facility, will likely run about $500,000."

 

Now here is a medical marijuana program even Michigan Republican legislator's could get behind! 124 sounds better than the ten Kuiper's proposed don't ya think? Just the motivation they need.

[Guest Happy Guy]

Right! But here's a question for you;

Who is smarter, Kuiper in Michigan who simply said only the dispensary can grow(10 growers in the state), or his Arizona counterpart that gets tricky and says you can only grow if you live 25 miles from a dispensary? Both basically shut down all home grows. One does it boldly and the other is a little sneakier about it. Give patients hope that if they live up in the hills they can grow. But from what we see here, a dispensary can pop up just about anywhere. Most patients need decent medical care and thats where the dispensaries will be, population centers. A low or medium income patient now has some very serious choices to make to stay healthy. Might have to head for the hills and hope for decent medical facilities and no dispensaries within 25 miles.

[imiubu]

bump