AP Photo
A marijuana bud is seen before harvesting near Corvallis, Ore. on Sept. 30, 2016.
ALPENA — After hearing public comment during a recent public hearing over amendments to the zoning ordinance that would accommodate marijuana businesses, the Alpena Township Planning Commission has tabled the issue.
The topic is expected to be addressed again at the planning commission’s Feb. 14 meeting, but it is unknown if the commission will vote to recommend the zoning changes to the board of trustees during the meeting.
Township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe said there was a blend of public comment from those in favor of and against the amendments that would open the door for marijuana businesses to open and operate.
The proposed changes to the zoning ordinance establish rules for six different marijuana businesses that are considered in the proposed changes to the ordinance, including growers, processors, provisioning centers, secure transporters, and marijuana safety compliance facilities.
“There were civil and respectful comments and discussion from both sides,” Skibbe said. “The commission just thought there needed to be more discussion.”
Skibbe said there were some members of the planning commission who were absent, and the other members believed the issue was important enough that everyone on the planning commission needed to take part in the debate and discussion.
The proposed ordinance allows for developers who want to open a marijuana business to do so after receiving a license from the state and township. A special use permit from the township is also needed.
Most marijuana businesses aren’t allowed to open in residential areas, with the exception of marijuana microbusinesses – a licensed person allowed to cultivate 150 or fewer marijuana plants, as well as process and package them. The microbusiness can then sell or otherwise transfer the drug to individuals who are 21 years old or older, or to a marijuana safety compliance facility. They cannot sell to other marijuana establishments.
The amended ordinance, if passed, will restrict operating hours for provisioning centers, retailers, and microbusinesses from 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. and will forbid sales within 500 feet of any building used for education, child care, or addiction treatment purposes or a park.
Marijuana provisioning centers also cannot utilize drive thru to complete a transaction.
The township opted out of Proposal 1, which made it illegal for marijuana businesses to operate in the township. Proposal 1 was passed by voters in Michigan in 2018 and legalized recreational use of marijuana but allowed municipalities to set their own rules pertaining to whether or not businesses can operate in them.
The legalization of recreational marijuana wasn’t as popular in the township as it was in many areas of the state, as the final vote tally in the township was 2,342 against legalization and 2,015 for it.
Marijuana remains considered illegal as a Schedule 1 drug by the federal government.
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