Eastpointe Council considers extending marijuana shop hours to compete with Detroit

The Eastpointe City Council convened on February 18, 2025, to address several key issues impacting the community, including animal welfare and amendments to the medical marijuana ordinance.

The meeting began with a passionate plea from a resident advocating for improved animal welfare standards. The speaker urged the council to take action against neglectful pet ownership, emphasizing that animals are now viewed as family members rather than mere pets. The resident called for stricter enforcement of animal care regulations, encouraging citizens to report any instances of cruelty or neglect.

Following this discussion, David Roodoy, a representative of holistic health and a permit holder for medical marijuana, addressed the council regarding the first reading of an ordinance. He pointed out a potential typo in the ordinance that could lead to misinterpretation about the renewal process for provisioning center permits. Roodoy requested a clarification to ensure that the language accurately reflects the intended requirements for permit holders.

Roodoy also highlighted a competitive disadvantage faced by Eastpointe's medical marijuana businesses due to their mandated closing time of 8 PM, while neighboring cities like Detroit allow operations until 10 PM. He requested that the council consider extending operating hours to 10 PM from Sunday to Wednesday and until 11 PM from Thursday to Saturday, arguing that this change would help retain local customers and boost the city's economy.

Aaron Geyer, an attorney representing another provisioning center, echoed Roodoy's concerns about the operating hours and the typo in the ordinance. He emphasized the importance of aligning Eastpointe's regulations with those of nearby municipalities to prevent the diversion of business to neighboring cities. Geyer also noted that a significant portion of the community supports recreational marijuana, which could provide financial benefits to the city.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the council to review the proposed changes and consider the requests made by the residents and business representatives. The discussions underscored the council's ongoing efforts to address community concerns and adapt regulations to better serve Eastpointe's residents and businesses.