Some Detroit area cities opt out of recreational pot, banning shops

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Marijuana is going to legal in Michigan, but some cities are choosing to opt out - not allowing stores. 

A brand new industry of recreational marijuana in Michigan is being met with people who see the potential. 

"It's the gold rush of the 2000s," said Stephanie Goodman, 

And people who believe a change is not always for the good. 

"I think it's better to be cautious and keep the community safe and pure," said Dave Tomaszewski, Berkley business owner.

It is a decision local municipalities are dealing with after the passage of Prop 1. Cities like Royal Oak, Troy and a few others have already passed ordinances forbidding marijuana retail stores from opening within the cities limits.
 
And despite 70 percent of voters in Berkley in favor of legal weed, the Berkley City Council is currently mulling over the same decision. 

"If they don't want it in their town. then that's the way it will be," said one man.

But the people over at Brick and Mortar Marijuana Real Estate in Berkley say like it not, the pot stores are coming. 

"It's been getting crazy in the past two weeks we have probably doubled the amount of leads we've been getting," said Goodman, of Bricks and Mortar Marijuana Real Estate. "We had 20 calls over the weekend people looking for places to lease and buy."

They say cities like Pontiac and Warren will likely opt in and allow the businesses, the customers and taxes in their town. 

"Ferndale for example, they had 70 applications for three spots," she said. "There are a lot of people who want to do business here and we are waiting on the cities and they have to get them comfortable with who wants to come in and do business."

On Monday, city leaders in Berkley took the first step in creating an ordinance that would keep marijuana establishments out of city limits. On Dec. 3, the council could put that decision to a vote.