COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council formally adopted a pair of Recreational Marijuana Establishment Ordinances on 6-2 votes Monday night.
The action comes after almost two years of discussion. Michigan voters approved the possession and use of recreational marijuana for those 21 and older in November of 2018 by a margin of 56 to 44 percent.
The ordinances were given a positive recommendation on June 1 by the Coldwater Planning Commission.
Council members Chad Johnson and Jim Knaack cast negatives votes on both ordinances. Randall Hazelbaker was not present for the vote.
One ordinance would amend the city’s Code of Ordinances which will enable the operation of Adult Use Recreational Marijuana Establishments with special use approval in the C-2 Central Business District, the C-4 General Business District and the D-2 Heavy Industrial District.
The second ordinance repeals the city’s prohibition on marijuana establishments. It would also establish the Municipal Marijuana License which is the first step for those who wish to apply for special use authorization as allowed in the other ordinance. The ordinance would establish the $5,000 fee for the licenses and spells out the penalties for violations.
The ordinances will go into effect in effect in 21 days but license applications won’t be accepted until September 1 so the city staff can have time to finalize the application process.
