Three of the residents who spoke at the hearing supported proposed ordinance 1245C, which would allow for storefront dispensaries and primary caregiver operations. Currently, that ordinance restricts potential ordinances to the city’s B3 zoning area, which is the city center business district, Assistant City Attorney Tom Yeadon said.

One other resident called for regulations on dispensaries to echo those of pharmacies and another said the city should stick to very liberal regulations of the drug’s distribution. Only one resident called for further clarity in state regulation and declared support for the most restrictive ordinance or the ordinance that allows for home care occupations.

Restrictions such as the zoning area are not reasonable because there are very few available spots for dispensaries, East Lansing resident Jeffrey Hank told council members during the public hearing. There are many benefits to allowing medical marijuana to be more freely distributed in the city, he said.

“You’re going to create jobs, you’re going to make people feel better and cut down on crime,” Hank said.

Doctors and pharmacies do not have as many restrictions and medical marijuana dispensaries shouldn’t either, he said.

Keeping medical marijuana distribution out of the spotlight invites various problems, Hank said.

Another resident presented council with a proposal to start a dispensary in East Lansing. East Lansing could benefit from such a development for local patients, caregivers and entrepreneurs, Levi Fishman said. Fishman said his mother currently is a licensed medical marijuana patient and receives the medication for relief from debilitating pain.

“I’ve seen the relief she can get without relying on prescription medication,” he said.

A potential dispensary would feature extensive security measures, including 360-degree cameras and double locking doors, Fishman said.

Such security would be a preventative measure to any potential crime caused by the high value of the medical marijuana and would provide for the safety of patients and caregivers involved, he said.

After Fishman presented his plan, East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis expressed concerns over needing such security.

“Financial institutions don’t even have that,” he said.

Fishman said he is concerned with being over-prepared rather than under-prepared for any potential situations.

Now, council will have to wait for the Planning Commission to review and make recommendations regarding two of the ordinances involved in the zoning of property: 1245A and 1245C, Yeadon said.

After receiving a recommendation on those ordinances, council then will hold another public hearing before acting on the ordinances, he said.

Further regulation of the statewide Michigan Medical Marihuana Act is virtually required by municipalities including East Lansing, Yeadon said.

“It begs for regulations,” he said. “There are so many holes in the act about what is does not regulate.”