Standish council tables decision on retail cannabis, schedules informational session

Standish City Council opened a public hearing Feb. 10 on whether to allow retail cannabis sales within the city and, after receiving mixed public comment, tabled the matter until its March 10 meeting when a municipal consultant will present an informational session.

Residents who spoke during the hearing offered competing views. A commenter identified as Smith said a potential retail business in Bentley "would hire approximately 6 employees" and would bring tax revenue to Standish. Several other residents — including Bowmaster; Chase and Mrs. Mitrzyk; Burghardt; Wilczynski; Schmidt; Foco; Holbrook; Tanner Mitrzyk; and Owen — expressed support for allowing retail cannabis in the city.

Opposition also appeared during public comment. A speaker listed as Castle stated they do not support cannabis retail within the city. Another attendee, Senske, asked how many stores would be permitted; council members said that had not yet been determined.

Tom Reif, identified in the meeting record as a Michigan municipal cannabis consultant, urged education as a remedy for community concern and offered to provide a free, roughly one‑hour class to the council and public. "People in the area are against it due in part to fearing the unknown; education is the key to helping overcome this fear," Reif said.

Council discussion after the hearing referenced previous votes and community sentiment. Councilmember Spencer said the city previously "opted out" on cannabis by a 6–1 vote. Councilmember Fleszar moved, and the council supported, tabling the matter and inviting Reif to present at the March 10 meeting. Mayor King formally tabled the item to that date and time.

The March 10 session will include Reif's informational class; the council did not vote on permitting, specific store limits, or ordinance language at the Feb. 10 meeting.