Michigan City Adopt Resolution to Support Cannabis

As Michigan waits for answers to medical cannabis regulatory issues, one town has adopted a resolution to step forward with allowing cannabis production in the city. The Arian City Commission adopted a resolution March 20th to consider ordinances regarding medical cannabis facilities.

Late last year, Governor Rick Snyder signed into law three bills that address the lack of regulatory infrastructure or basic protections as communities and law enforcement struggled with the growing number of medical cannabis businesses.

At the meeting, Mayor Jim Berryman admitted that he seemed hesitant to allow medical cannabis when the state is still going through drastic changes to its current medical cannabis laws. “What I tried to tell [attendees] at the meeting was this discussion is not about the pros and cons of the use of medical marijuana. What we’re talking about now is . . . why should [medical cannabis facilities] be located in Adrian, and where should they be located in Adrian?” said Mayor Berryman, who said he voted for medical cannabis in 2008 but voted no on the resolution. “If the city is going to move forward, I think it needs to move forward knowing what the state’s going to require.”

The Adrian city resolution, which had been previously tabled, came after the community discussion at the two March commission meetings, where both sides argued for and against the resolution. Those for the resolution were open to medical cannabis production bringing jobs and tax revenue to the city. Opposition to the Adrian commission’s resolution were concerned that ordinances would be signed before the state rules were known.

The new state laws will provide regulation for cultivators, processors, testing labs and more, and will also allow patients to have up to 2.5 ounces of raw cannabis or its dictated equivalent in other forms. Previously, the law was designed for patients and their caregivers protecting in cultivating and possessing. Currently, no one can apply for cannabis-related business licenses in Michigan until December 15, 2017.