ASMSU’s Student Assembly voted Thursday to support an East Lansing City Council proposal to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
The assembly supported a more liberal version of proposed ordinance 1245C, which would allow for dispensaries of medical marijuana in business areas. The group voted in favor of adding provisions to the ordinance for more zoning districts, no restrictions on the number of patients allowed at medical marijuana distribution facilities and no appointments required to pick up the drug.
“Part of the reason we wanted to loosen up 1245C is that these restrictions make people feel like criminals, like they’re doing something wrong,” said Mitch Goldsmith, the ASMSU Student Housing Cooperative representative who introduced the bill.
ASMSU was unsure of how this ordinance would have an effect on students on campus who qualify to use medical marijuana.
Student Assembly Chairman Christopher Schotten said he did not think the ordinance would allow students to smoke marijuana on campus for medical reasons.
“MSU is a land-grant institution, a federal institution and at that level marijuana is still illegal,” Schotten said.
However, Goldsmith said a large percentage of students live off campus, still making the bill relevant to the university.
Monica Shamass, chair of the Student Assembly Policy Committee, was one of three representatives who voted against the bill.
“I’m just kind of against medical marijuana, and if people do need it, I think it should be given by a doctor,” Shamass said.
During the meeting, the group also floated the idea of having an ASMSU awareness week in the spring to get more students informed about what it does.
The idea is part of an initiative by the Goals Oversight Committee to increase ASMSU branding and awareness, said communication senior and committee chair Ann Recke.
ASMSU has suggested having town hall meetings across campus for students to bring their concerns to the group, but Recke said a fun and informative event like this might be necessary for students to attend.
“Maybe if we start big we’ll have more people come out when we have these smaller meetings,” Recke said.
ASMSU also passed a bill to urge the administration to include student representatives in the process of finding a replacement for Lee June, vice president for student affairs and services, who will step down from his position at the end of the year.
“Any more input on the election of MSU administrative officials from students is needed,” political theory and constitutional democracy senior Igor Shleypak said.
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Discussion
Share and discuss “ASMSU discusses awareness, medical marijuana, ” on social media.
