The City of Mt. Pleasant is currently reviewing ordinances related to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMMFLA). These ordinances would “opt in” to the state law allowing medical marihuana facilities to operate within the City subject to certain limitations.

Public input is being sought regarding the draft ordinances before the City Commission makes a final decision.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the draft ordinances in early May and provided the City Commission with comments and recommendations following that public hearing. The draft ordinances have been revised to reflect the recommendations made by the Planning Commission.

 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

• Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. City Commission Public Hearing on the proposed ordinances.
• Monday, June 4, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. City Commission Work Session to discuss the outcomes of the public hearing process and next steps.

 

MEDICAL MARIHUANA FACILITIES FAQs

What medical marihuana facility types would be allowed in the City?

• All 5 types of facilities would be allowed: growers, provisioning centers, processors, secure transporters, and safety compliance.
• No more than 3 growers would be allowed.
• No more than 3 provisioning centers would be allowed.
• If more than 3 applications are received for a specific facility type, a public meeting will be held to randomly select 3 of the applicants to continue the approval process.

 

Where would medical marihuana facilities be located?

• All types of facilities would be permitted in the industrial zone.
• Provisioning centers would be allowed in commercial zones within designated areas, including portions of Downtown, Mission and Pickard.
• A facility could not be located within 1,000 feet of a public or private K-12 school, unless the facility is located north of Broadway in the Central Business District / Tax Increment Finance Authority.
• A facility could not be located within 500 feet of Central Michigan University, unless the facility is located east of the CMU main campus, east of Mission of Street.

 

What other regulations would be in place for medical marihuana facilities?

• Each facility would be required to adhere to standards regulating odor, lighting, signage, storage, exterior and interior appearance, hours of operation and more.
• On-site consumption of marihuana would be prohibited on the premises of any facility.

 

How would medical marihuana facilities receive approval to operate?

Applicants must complete the following steps before beginning to operate:

1. Apply to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) for prequalification
2. Apply to the City of Mt. Pleasant to operate a facility**
3. Obtain a special-use permit for the location of the facility
4. A public hearing would be held with the Planning Commission to approve the facility location. Notifications for all public hearings would be sent to property owners and occupants within 300 feet of the proposed location of the facility, as well as shared with the general public through the City’s communication channels.
5. Complete the state licensing process

 

How can I give my input?

• A public hearing will be held before the City Commission on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
• If you are unable to attend the public hearing, opinions can be expressed by mail, email or phone to City Manager Nancy Ridley to be shared with the City Commission. Contact the City Manager’s office by calling (989) 779-5323, emailing manager@mt-pleasant.org or visiting City Hall at 320 W. Broadway.

 

Where can I find additional information?

• The FAQs are a summary of the draft medical marihuana facilities ordinances. The complete draft of the ordinances and other information can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org/MMMFLA.
• If you have additional questions, please contact City Planner Jacob Kain at (989) 779-5346 or jkain@mt-pleasant.org.

 

**The City is not accepting applications for medical marihuana facilities at this time.

Updated 5/18/18