lightly_toasted
03-30-2011, 10:55 PM
Proposed ordinances would allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Fenton's industrial park, cardholders to grow their plants at home
Published - The Flint Journal (http://www.mlive.com/fenton/index.ssf/2011/03/proposed_ordinances_would_allo.html)
FENTON, Michigan — Two proposed medical marijuana ordinances would permit residents to grow medical marijuana in their homes, as well as allow clubs, dispensaries, and growing facilities to set up shop in Fenton’s industrial park.
Currently the city has a moratorium that temporary halts medical marijuana related businesses from opening in the city (http://www.mlive.com/fenton/index.ssf/2011/02/fenton_city_council_6.html). The city enacted the moratorium in August, as the planning commission worked to create ordinances addressing the issue.
The planning commission will consider the proposed ordinances and hold a public hearing at its April 28 meeting.
If the commission recommends the ordinances, they would go on to the City Council for another public hearing and consideration for approval.
The planning commission saw the proposed ordinances for the first time earlier this month.
“This was a very introductory meeting and I expect we’ll look at it in more detail next month,” said Patric Parker, planning commission chairman.
Under one of the proposed ordinances, those interested in opening a club, dispensary or growing facility would be limited to the city’s industrial park.
The ordinance also sets out restrictions on required distances of the facilities from schools and other buildings that children are likely to occupy.
Marijuana-related businesses and clubs also would require the planning commission’s approval.
Parker said he hasn’t formed an opinion on the details of the ordinance yet, but does believe medical marijuana businesses should be regulated through the city’s zoning ordinances as a special land use.
For residents with a medical marijuana card, who want to grow plants in their homes for their own use, the proposed ordinance would allow them to do so.
Brad Hissong, city building/zoning administrator, said they would likely be charged a fee and have to renew the designation every two years.
Hissong said the ordinances protect the neighborhoods and will help the city and police in regulating it, by knowing who is allowed to grow and who is not.
“At least this way we have an ID of who’s got it, who’s using it and they’re held under those laws,” Hissong said.
Published - The Flint Journal (http://www.mlive.com/fenton/index.ssf/2011/03/proposed_ordinances_would_allo.html)
FENTON, Michigan — Two proposed medical marijuana ordinances would permit residents to grow medical marijuana in their homes, as well as allow clubs, dispensaries, and growing facilities to set up shop in Fenton’s industrial park.
Currently the city has a moratorium that temporary halts medical marijuana related businesses from opening in the city (http://www.mlive.com/fenton/index.ssf/2011/02/fenton_city_council_6.html). The city enacted the moratorium in August, as the planning commission worked to create ordinances addressing the issue.
The planning commission will consider the proposed ordinances and hold a public hearing at its April 28 meeting.
If the commission recommends the ordinances, they would go on to the City Council for another public hearing and consideration for approval.
The planning commission saw the proposed ordinances for the first time earlier this month.
“This was a very introductory meeting and I expect we’ll look at it in more detail next month,” said Patric Parker, planning commission chairman.
Under one of the proposed ordinances, those interested in opening a club, dispensary or growing facility would be limited to the city’s industrial park.
The ordinance also sets out restrictions on required distances of the facilities from schools and other buildings that children are likely to occupy.
Marijuana-related businesses and clubs also would require the planning commission’s approval.
Parker said he hasn’t formed an opinion on the details of the ordinance yet, but does believe medical marijuana businesses should be regulated through the city’s zoning ordinances as a special land use.
For residents with a medical marijuana card, who want to grow plants in their homes for their own use, the proposed ordinance would allow them to do so.
Brad Hissong, city building/zoning administrator, said they would likely be charged a fee and have to renew the designation every two years.
Hissong said the ordinances protect the neighborhoods and will help the city and police in regulating it, by knowing who is allowed to grow and who is not.
“At least this way we have an ID of who’s got it, who’s using it and they’re held under those laws,” Hissong said.