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Detroit City Council votes in favor of new medical marijuana ordinance

Published  December 17, 2015 6:34pm EST
News
FOX 2 Detroit

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Detroit City Council votes in favor of  new ordinance regulating how medical marijuana is sold.

DETROIT - Detroit's City Council’s special session on the use and distribution of medical marijuana got heated. There is a divide when it comes to this matter in the city of Detroit.

Council members say there are 150 medical marijuana storefronts in Detroit, and they're being abused by people who don't need weed for treatment.

The zoning ordinance demands a separation of at least 1000 feet between a church, school, liquor store or other marijuana shops. The goal is to get them out.

"There's nothing on the books right now in the city of Detroit to regulate it," said council member Mary Sheffield.  "We have state law that allows for medical use, but there's nothing within the city that actually really guides how this works in the city of Detroit. So again, businesses and sometimes people - think they can just come and set up shop in the city and nothing happens."

When it came to public comment, it was divided 50/50.

"The drug free zones are way over broad. The only drug free zones under federal law are schools and libraries and there is no reason to restrict distances from such entities as child care centers. We don't expect any of these children are going to wander over to a dispensary and end up with marijuana."

A concerned citizen said, "After you go mile and a half on the street that I live on, we’re in Grosse Pointe. I don't see them popping up there. You go in the other direction and they're popping up. There has to be some distinction. There has to be a limit put on what's happening. We're talking about the future of this city."

We spoke with one medical marijuana business owner who gave his take at the meeting.

"We're here for a reason. We're serving the medical patients like we're supposed to," said "Dez", "as long as were checking cards and ID, we're valid for the public."

City council members say any business in violation of the 1000 feet rule would have 30 days to relocate, or their business will be shut down. The ordinance would go into effect in 2016.