LOWELL, MI – As a medical marijuana business knocks at their door looking for a license, the city of Lowell will be hosting a public hearing Monday, Nov. 20, to gauge public opinion.
“We’re going to hold a hearing to try to get as many opinions as we can,” said Mayor Mike DeVore.
Belding resident Connor Baker is seeking a license for marijuana cultivation, processing and for a provisioning center in Lowell under the Medical Marihuana Facilities Act the Legislature approved in 2016.
Under the new law, an appointed state board with five members will decide who gets licenses to grow marijuana, to transport it, to process it, to sell it or to provide safety compliance. However, the Medical Marihuana Licensing Board can consider whether local governments have approved ordinances or permits for businesses.
Many of those hoping to get into the new industry believe approval from a municipality with its own medical marijuana ordinance could be key to getting the all-important state license. That has led to a rush to get local governments to act despite the fact the state is still weeks away from approving administrative rules under which the medical marijuana industry will operate.
Earlier this year the Lowell city council decided to refrain from taking any action immediately after the state law changed in January.
“The police department has their issues with it and rightfully so, and the community has their concerns and rightfully so,” said City Manager Mike Burns. “It’s a public policy issue for the community as to what they want.”
The hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at in the council chambers of city hall at 301 E. Main St. in Lowell.
Burns said the council won’t likely make any decisions after the Monday hearing and will take a “slow, deliberative” approach.
Burns said the discussion may be preemptive, as Michigan voters will likely see a ballot proposal in November 2018 seeking to legalize marijuana for recreational use statewide.
Baker is currently a licensed caregiver of medical marijuana to four patients, and has been for the past four years. Baker said he wants to open a dispensary in Lowell to provide patients in Kent County medical-grade marijuana so they don’t have to drive to Lansing or Kalamazoo.
“I think to be operating in Lowell would be beneficial for many different ways – including the fact that it’s difficult for patients to find access,” Baker said. “We’re not looking to put out a mediocre product that kind of floats along with the rest of the products. We’re looking to put out a product at the top of the class: the purest, cleanest, pharmaceutical-grade possible.”
Baker has been speaking before the Lowell council during public comment for several months, and gave a presentation to the committee of the whole. He said he hasn’t received feedback that’s “extremely negative.”
“There’s traffic coming from Ionia in Lowell; everyone’s commuting up through Grand Rapids,” Baker said of why he wants to locate his business here. “It’s a really, welcoming warm community that I’m really excited to be a part of.”
(1091)
Leave A Reply