Detroit medical marijuana caregiver center eligibility map. All of the colored circles identify sections of the map where dispensaries would be in violation of the Detroit zoning laws that took effect March 1. (
Detroit has been one of the most lax cities in Michigan regarding the enforcement of medical marijuana dispensaries, which are still illegal under state and federal laws.
With names like The Green Mile, House of Dank, Action Medz and Detroit Grass Station. at latest count there were an estimated 211 dispensaries operating throughout the city, nearly 1.5 per square mile.
The businesses make no effort to hide their intent, and police have left them to operate freely for the most part, despite a state Supreme Court ruling in 2013 that allows medical marijuana dispensaries to be declared a public nuisance.
There is pending legislation that could define and regulate dispensaries in the state.
The 2008 Michigan Medical Marijuana Act allowed caretakers to designate up to five medical marijuana patients for whom they could provide marijuana. The law did not address the possibility of retail sales.
Some of the pot shops have clearly invested large amount of capital into their entrepreneurial endeavors and buildings, but it could be all for naught with the implementation of strict zoning laws that ban shops throughout most of the city.
One group of dispensary and medical marijuana advocates, Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform, is fighting back. It filed a referendum last week that, if approved, could appear on August election ballots and reverse the zoning law that took effect March 1.
The referendum petition is currently being reviewed by the city Elections Department to determine if it is legal and the signatures are valid, says Elections Director Daniel A. Baxter.
As written, shops are banned from operating within 1000 feet of schools, arcades, parks, party stores, child care facilities, churches, public housing and other dispensaries. The city opened a 30-day application window March 1 and says it will begin enforcement next month.
As of Thursday, 113 businesses had applied for permits to become medical marijuana caregiver centers. A cursory look at the locations reveal most violate one or more of the new zoning limitations.
The city offers a mapping tool online for dispensaries to see if their location violates the new zoning limitations. More than 90 percent of the city map is covered with multitude of circles indicating a 1000-foot restricted area for one reason or another.
One applicant, Mind Right, is located at 17243 Mack in west Detroit. Typing in the address reveals numerous zoning location violations. “Location Ineligible,” the city website says. It’s within 1000 feet of “a controlled use location,” Parkie’s Liquor Shoppe; a child daycare facility, Moross Congregational Church and within a Drug Free Zone.
After checking about 10 addresses of applicants, all violated at least on aspect of the ordinance.
Source: Group hopes to halt dismantling of Detroit’s marijuana dispensary industry | MLive.com
