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East Lansing sets marijuana business regulations

November 1, 2019
<p>East Lansing City Council meets on Sept. 17, 2019 at the 54B District Court.</p>

East Lansing City Council meets on Sept. 17, 2019 at the 54B District Court.

The East Lansing City Council voted unanimously to adopt regulations to the recreational marijuana industry in the city at the Oct. 29 city council meeting.

The ordinance allows for provisioning centers in East Lansing to sell marijuana recreationally to people over the age of 21.

On-site consumption is not allowed at provision centers or other businesses, but council members said they were open to exploring the possibility in the future.

"We have the option to consider on-site consumption later on," Council member Aaron Stephens said. "There is also provision for temporary on-site consumption. So, if someone wanted to have an event or something like that."

City Attorney Thomas Yeadon said on-site consumption areas could likely couldn't be locations that sell alcohol.

The ordinance will allow for delivery of marijuana products, which was outlined in the emergency rules Michigan issued in July.

The Oct. 29 meeting was the latest the city could make a decision on regulations without consequences.

City Attorney Thomas Yeadon said to the council in August that new regulations should be in place before Nov. 1, when the state begins accepting license applications. Local governments had until then to create stricter regulations or prohibit recreational marijuana stores altogether.

While the ordinance passed, the council sees additional rules being added later on. Multiple council members expressed interest in developing social equity laws that would help local growers sell in the city, in addition to large companies that will be coming to East Lansing.

"I'm enthusiastic about taking a look at all these additional opportunities with regard to this as we go forward," Mayor Mark Meadows said.

Looking forward, the city has approved four provisioning centers in the city, but there is little action at one of the sites. Meadows said the overlay laws have room for one more.

It is unclear when the provisioning centers will begin recreational sales in East Lansing, but it will be after the calendar year ends.

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