Tri-County Citizen

Montrose Township drafts marijuana ordinance




MONTROSE TWP. – During the Tuesday, Nov. 20 meeting of the Montrose Township Board, Supervisor Mark Emmendorfer said, “With the new marijuana law that’s come down, I think it’s a good idea to adopt an ordinance. We have no idea what’s coming out of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). With this ordinance, we won’t be running against a timeline.”

He explained that by adopting the marijuana ordinance now, the township can have more control over the distance from a church, daycare or school. Township attorney Amanda Doyle said, “This should not be placed in the zoning ordinance.”

Emmendorfer said, “Recreational marijuana passed. The only thing we’re saying right now is we don’t want any establishments, grow operations, etc. It’s not us being the guinea pig. A lot of other communities are doing the same thing. We have to opt out, so that if the state does start issuing licenses, we’re protected.”

Trustee Tom Tithof asked, “What’s wrong with a commercial operation?”

Emmendorfer said he talked with Mt. Morris; they have abandoned buildings in an industrial area. He believes it might make sense for Mt. Morris.

Emmendorfer also expressed concerns about some cloudiness in the licensing language; municipalities can only charge them what they expend. He added, there’s a persona of people coming to break in or steal from these companies.

With regard to the ordinance, Tithof asked, “This is just a temporary thing?”

“As far as I’m concerned, we have a lot to learn. We still have six to eight months to see what others do,” Emmendorfer said.

Township clerk Fred Domine said, “I thought the new law goes into effect Dec. 6?” He pointed out that Montrose Township voters supported passage of the state proposal to legalize recreational marijuana with 1,362 yes votes to 1,090 no votes.

Township building administrator Dennis Miller said, “I heard LARA is going to mirror the medical marijuana law. They could adopt those very quickly. It would take the Montrose Township Planning Commission time to go over the law and make some recommendations.”

The Montrose Township Board approved the first reading of ordinance 18-231 Prohibition of Marijuana Establishments.