Mount Clemens commission directs staff to draft ordinance to opt in to state medical marijuana licensing

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted to direct city administration and the city attorney to draft an ordinance opting the city into Michigan's Medical Marijuana Facilities Licensing Act on a tie-breaking vote after public comment and hours of discussion.

City staff explained that Public Act 281 of 2016 authorizes five types of medical-marijuana facilities and establishes a licensing scheme. Staff told the commission that, if the city opts in, administration and the city attorney will prepare an ordinance setting application procedures, allowable license types, numerical limits and zoning locations, including standard distance restrictions from schools and churches. The staff presentation noted the city had discussed the issue in multiple prior work sessions and that a prior draft prepared by the city attorney had prohibited facilities in Mount Clemens.

The commission heard several residents speak in favor of opting in during the public comment period. Dolores Kaceniak (250 Euclid) urged the city to focus on other infrastructure matters…