MARQUETTE, MI-- The Marquette City Commission held a work session Monday night to get public input on recreational marijuana sales.
City Attorney Ron Keefe gave a presentation on who would be allowed to sell and how the application process would work. State officials are still developing rules on how such businesses would be conducted. “Emergency" rules may be released in June.
A couple of residents said the risk of addiction—especially in adolescents—is too high to legalize sales. Others felt it was better to embrace the concept and regulate sales so it’s safer for the community.
As the meeting went on, residents involved in the in the passing of the medical marijuana facilities ordinance in Negaunee Township offered help in answering any questions commissioners had. A couple of people who worked in the marijuana industry in other states told the commission how hydrocarbon extraction can be done, what kind of equipment is used, and how processing may be done in another county.
Mayor Fred Stonehouse noted when the issue came up months ago and the commission opted out of selling, it was with an eye toward approving sales at a later date.
“The opt-out was very clearly done, and by really commissioners expressing themselves afterwards, that they were going to opt in, that it was their impression to do so, but they needed time to make sure that they weren’t being pressured by the state.”
Stonehouse says he wants to hear more input from the public on questions like how many establishments they think the city should have, where they should be, and does manufacturing belong in the city.
At least one more work session will be held to further discuss the issue.
