Suppose they gave a public forum and only three people came.
That’s exactly what happened Tuesday night in the Wayland City Council’s first public forum on the question of permitting the growing, processing, transportation of, and buying and selling of marijuana within its local boundaries.
Only one was from the public at large, Mike Williams.
City Manager Josh Eggleston, however, said, “We need to listen to input from all stakeholders, even though there are only a few here tonight… It’s important to get this (issue) on the docket and do our due diligence.”
Voters in November 2018 approved a state-wide ballot proposition approving use of recreational marijuana, but since then it’s been slow going in implementing the new law, particularly in buying, selling, growing and transporting the product. Many communities have continued to opt out allowing marijuana dispensaries and facilities. So though the product now is legal, it may difficult to buy or sell it.
Eggleston said Wayland last year opted out, but agreed to revisit the issue. It was noted that between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo on the U.S.-131 corridor, there are no cannabis-related businesses.
Yet.
The city manager acknowledged four areas within the city limits that would meet the requirements of being more than 1,000 feet away from schools and places of worship:
- West Superior Street, west of the railroad tracks.
- Reno Drive and 133rd Avenue.
- North Main Street near the city limits.
- South Main Street, south of Locust Street.
Wayland Union School Supt. Norm Taylor, one of the three attendees, insisted that if the city permits dispensaries and businesses that they comply with the 1,000-foot rule in the interests of public safety.
Eggleston also said the city can restrict the number of such businesses, but cannot judge them on the basis of type.
The city manager estimated that Wayland could rake in between $15,000 and $27,000 annually in tax revenue from each dispensary, but that amount could be wipes out quickly if there is a lawsuit.
Some dispensaries opened in Michigan Dec. 1, and sales were reported to be $1.6 million in the first week.
Councilman Rick Mathis said he looked up revenue figures from marijuana sales in Colorado since 2014, and he noted this year it is approaching $1.5 billion for the state.
Williams asked the council members if they understand there could be additional benefits for Wayland’s economic growth, but he acknowledged there still are many who have moral objections to use of marijuana.
Eggleston stated flatly that the legality of marijuana is not an issue. It has been decided by Michigan voters, and even the City of Wayland had 58 percent support at the polls.
Eggleston said despite the poor turnout Tuesday night, city officials will continue to seek public input. He suggested a representative of a marijuana business make a presentation in the near future, as well as a representative from a group in opposition.
After Councilman Joe Kramer reported that 43 potential businesses applied for licenses to sell and distribute marijuana in the Detroit area, the city manager said he has continued to receive inquiries once or twice a week.
Eggleston said part of the problem is that the state has not been aggressive in implementing the law.
“It’s a law they (legislators) have not defined a lot of things for yet. They’re leaving a lot of questions for the courts to decide.”
Maybe if the city of Wayland had a reputation for listening to its constituents, more people would show up to render their opinions. Yet as the City has demonstrated that it will take the recommendation of two undisclosed people in a back room over the request of 20 people that bring an issue to the public in an open forum as prescribed by law, we need to ask ourselves, why waste our time when they do not listen.