The fate of medical marijuana dispensaries - and a text change banning any establishment that does not comply with state, federal or local laws in Chelsea - now rests with the city council. On Nov. 2, the Chelsea Planning Commission unanimously approved a text change in its zoning ordinance that would prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. The change is expected to be on the council's agenda for first reading at its Nov. 23 meeting, said Jim Drolett, planning and zoning administrator. [continues 271 words]
The Chelsea Planning Commission has approved a change in its zoning ordinance that would prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. The change, unanimously approved Tuesday night, will now go to the Chelsea City Council and is expected to be on the agenda for first reading Nov. 23, said Jim Drolett, planning and zoning administrator. The amendment states that "uses for enterprises or purposes that are contrary to federal, state or local laws or ordinances are prohibited." There are six commercial and one office district in the city where current zoning regulations would permit dispensaries. [continues 277 words]
Although there are no applications or established medical marijuana dispensaries in Chelsea, the city council placed a 60-day moratorium on these establishments at its regular meeting on Sept. 28. The moratorium was established while the Chelsea Planning Commission deliberates and sends a recommendation to the city council on a proposed zoning text amendment that would prohibit dispensaries within the city limits. "The intended purpose of this proposed amendment was to prohibit the establishment of medical marijuana dispensary clinics within the city as the sale and distribution of marijuana violates federal law," the agenda item summary states. [continues 311 words]
Although state of Michigan voters approved use of medical marijuana, municipalities across the Great Lakes region are grappling with how to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all its citizens when it comes to zoning issues and dispensing the drug. On Aug. 5, Ann Arbor became the next city to begin dealing with the issue by placing a 120-day moratorium on businesses dispensing medical marijuana on city property while they sort out the details of zoning issues. "The proposal does not seek to keep patients or caregivers from their medicine," said council member Christopher Taylor. "It's a question of land use." [continues 387 words]
