Wayland’s first-ever marijuana retail business took a big step forward Monday in a special meeting of the Planning Commission.
The commission approved on a 5-0 vote a site plan from Fawn River Cultivation and recommended the City Council approve a special use permit for the growing, sale and distribution of marijuana at the site at 201 Clark St. The location is next door to Sweet Leaf Glass and is just north of the huge parking lot that graces the local Burger King restaurant on West Superior Street.
The commission, with guidance from Zoning Administrator For Castello of Professional Code Inspections, ran through the checklists of factors and found no reason to oppose the plans.
City Manager Josh Eggleston said, “There’s nothing from the city’s standpoint that would cause me not to recommend it… There were no hiccups in this process.”
Fawn River co-founder Dominic Iemma and consultant Bill Soller (shown in cover photo) were on hand to answer any questions.
There was no public comment during the public hearing.
What a shame. I suggest pot is indeed a gateway drug. I never meet anyone that started off with meth or coke. They started with pot. Well the people watching should be fun. Of course the pot shops bring out the best of our society. My opinion, my choice.
99 percent of all alcoholics started out on milk.
David
Don’t be so quick to judge the clientele. A lot of people use it whom one would never expect.
Seems so many are so quick to judge their fellow man as to their worth in society.
Glad you feel you are in the superior class of humanity.
Well Mr Smit I believe we are on the same page when it comes to CINO, to tell you the truth I think he’s been smoking it for a long time.
Nothing lowers inhibitions and increases risk-taking behavior like alcohol. If anyone using cannabis decided to try coke, meth or heroin instead, they were probably drinking alcohol as well.
Considering all the vile health issues, addiction/dependence, criminal behavior and domestic violence issues routinely associated with alcohol use, it is actually kind of surprising that it is legal. People may disagree but cannabis is actually far safer, it isn’t even really a debate at this point.
This business is getting a late start and I wish them well, as the legal cannabis business is struggling in many states against decriminalization due to high taxes and overregulation.
Milk isn’t a drug though
Every substance we ingest beyond air and water is technically a drug.
More justification for the results of the election. Need we say more.
Years ago the Upright Citizens Brigade refused to allow beer/wine and alcohol to be sold in Moline, and how’d that work out?
Liquor stores, grocery stores like Harding’s in Wayland and Leppink’s (formerly Dicks) that sell alcohol buy the bottle or six pack or restaurants/bars that sell alcohol by the glass — you can opt not to shop or frequent those businesses. No one is forcing anyone into Gun Lake Casino, either, but it’s business (including alcohol sales) is thriving despite all the handwringing opposition predicting doom a dozen years ago.
Mr Iemma and his co-founder are risking their money for this venture. My opinion is a larger risk than it seems. Just because your business is first isn’t a guarantee of success. A few weeks ago I visited family in the UP and at least one band of native peoples has opened up a store that sells marijuana and edibles about 150 yards from the casino entrance. It’s not a long shot the Gun Lake band will be watching.