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Lansing Mayor Calls For Moratorium On Medical Pot Dispensaries


bobandtorey

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Lansing, MI (WILX) - UPDATE 4/18 9:35 p.m. 

The cityicon1.png of Lansing hasn't put together a way to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, and new shops keep opening up.

Mayor Virg Bernero says it's time to stop it.

"I don't want to see more of these shops pop up," he said. "We have more than enough, the time is right to put the brakes on it."

The Mayor can't issue a moratorium, so he's calling on the Lansing City Council to do it. "We've got to get it right. and the moratorium will give us time to get it right," Bernero said. 

City Council President Judi Brown Clarke agrees there is a problem with regulating dispensaries, and the Public Safety Committee is working on it. "The problem is really there's no oversight, so basically if you put a green cross out, you're actually open for businessicon1.png," Brown Clarke said. "Which is in no way, shape, or form the way in which we can protect our citizens."

Mayor Bernero says he still supports medicalicon1.png marijuana, but the city has enough dispensaries to serve the people who need it. "We have more than enough to take care of our population, and now they're beginning to grow beyond what we need," Bernero said. 

Eastside Neighborhood Organization President Nancy Mahlow agrees, but says she isn't sure how good the city will be about enforcing a moratorium. "You can have a moratorium, but if it isn't going to be acted on, what's the purpose of having it?" Mahlow said. "That seems to be where we're at a standstill."

The city's Public Safety Committee is currently workingicon1.png on a draft of a new licensing ordinance. 

UPDATE 4/18 3:00 p.m.
"Enough is enough."

Those words from Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero in regards to the explosive growth of medical marijuana dispensaries in the capital city.

The mayor is calling for a moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries in Lansing until the City Council approves new regulations to govern the industry.

"Enough is enough," Bernero said. "We have a sufficient number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city to serve the needs of medical marijuana patients. Now we need a comprehensive systemicon1.png of regulations as soon as possible to govern the growing and distribution of medical marijuana." 

Mayor Bernero noted that the Michigan Legislature appears to be making little to no progress on clarifying state laws related to medical marijuana and that the city cannot wait any longer for state lawmakers to act. Other citiesicon1.png in Michigan, including Detroit, are moving forward to establish their own regulations due to the Legislature's continuing failure to act. 

"We can no longer wait for the Legislature to do their job," Bernero said. "Even though the original medical marijuana law was approved by Michigan voters eight years ago, and after numerous court rulings that have only muddied the waters about the legal status of the medical marijuana industry, it is time for City Council to fill the void. That starts with a moratorium to stop any further expansion of dispensaries operating within the city limits." 

Bernero also noted that he hopes the Council's work on a new medical marijuana ordinance moves the growth of marijuana out of city neighborhoods and into commercial corridors and industrial areas. 

"We have seen too many problems with home-based growing operations, including criminal activity that targets home growers for robbery or worse," Bernero said. "Let's move the grow operations into secureicon1.png facilities in business and industrial districts so this necessary activity can be done a safe distance from children and families in our neighborhoods."

 

http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/Lansing-mayor-calls-for-moratorium-on-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-376089811.html

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I'm not currently a supporter of dispensaries, but to say "We have more than enough." is a bit silly. If you are willing to allow one, then why not allow as many as will be supported by customers? Having more than you need probably means that people are coming from outside the city and spending their money. What city in Michigan wouldn't want more people bringing in money from outside the city?

 

I'd guess there are more fast food restaurants in Lansing than are needed.

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Interesting responses here to Benero's comments.   I am guessing that few if any one on here are dispensary owners, yet I am guessing most are caregivers/homegrowers.   

 

Did anyone notice he wants to get rid of home growing?

 

"...Bernero also noted that he hopes the Council's work on a new medical marijuana ordinance moves the growth of marijuana out of city neighborhoods and into commercial corridors and industrial areas. 

"We have seen too many problems with home-based growing operations, including criminal activity that targets home growers for robbery or worse," Bernero said. "Let's move the grow operations into secure facilities in business and industrial districts so this necessary activity can be done a safe distance from children and families in our neighborhoods."

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  • 3 weeks later...

Lansing's proposal to stop any new medical marijuana dispensaries from opening in the city will be up for a public hearing this week.

The city council will hold it Thursday night at five following the public safety committee meeting.
The public will be allowed to comment on the moratorium.
Supporters say it will give the city time to figure out a regulation system.

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