COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After a nearly half hour discussion, the Coldwater City Council voted on Monday night to introduce an ordinance that would allow the city to opt out of permitting recreational marijuana establishments on a temporary basis. But the Council also told city staff to develop rules and guidelines in anticipation of the state eventually creating a distribution chain and licensing regulations and to report back to the Council within six months.
The second reading and adoption is scheduled to take place during the next Council meeting December 10, 2018.
The action was needed following the passage on Election Day of Proposal One, which legalizes recreational marijuana in the State of Michigan as of December 6, 2018.
The new law requires municipalities to pass an opt out ordinance if they want to prohibit these establishments within its jurisdictions until rules and regulations for the new industry are set by the state. Over 100 communities around Michigan including Quincy and Portage have decided to pursue the opt out option.
Opting out would prevent during an interim period of time the speculative purchase of land or buildings for establishments before regulatory language is adopted. It would also prohibit the use of marijuana on publicly owned property such as parks and sidewalks.
City Manager Keith Baker pointed out the Council action would not prohibit marijuana activities which have been permitted by the passage of Proposal One. That would include those 21 and over from possessing or cultivating up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana, using marijuana on private property, selling marijuana accessories or transporting marijuana through the city.
