The Martin Township Board wil
l have a special meeting either at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, or next Thursday, Dec. 17, for a public hearing on a local medical marijuana ordinance.
The Martin Township Planning Commission two months ago recommended on a 4-2 vote the board not adopt the ordinance, but preliminary indications are that this recommendation will be overturned.
The issue first surfaced last May when the CDXX Boutique opened up shop on 124th Avenue in downtown Shelbyville at what was once the U.S. post office, which has moved to Gun Lake. Before CDXX opened, the site was home to a medical massage business and sales shop.
The Township Board asked Professional Code Inspections last summer to issue a citation for dispensing medical marijuana, but owner Jerry Dan Patrick insists his business does not dispense the product but provides a site for legal users and growers to exchange it and barter.
His wife, Lisa Edwards, does sell marijuana paraphernalia, which is legal, in the same building.
After the PCI visit, CDXX Boutique appeared in Allegan County Circuit Court and was allowed to continue its business at least until the local issue was resolved. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on adopting a local ordinance forbidding dispensation of marijuana in September and then a month later voted to recommend against its adoption.
The issue then went before the Township Board in November, but Cannibis Counsel Attorney Thomas Lavigne, who is representing Patrick and Edwards, proposed the township adopt a new local ordinance that instead would permit CDXX to stay in business and enable the the township to pick up some additional revenue.
The Township Board agreed to check with its attorney to have a public hearing either Dec. 14, Dec. 17, or a third choice, Jan. 4, depending on counsel’s availability.
“We’re going to take public comments,” Supervisor Glenn Leep said, “so this will take more than a few minutes.”
Township Clerk Carrie Coburn said she would put up the date and time of the hearing on the township’s web site as soon as she hears from Attorney Jeff Sluggett.
Leep said he’d really like to get this issue taken care of soon because he’s heard from many constituents who have asked him why township officials have permitted a “head shop” and marijuana exchange to continue for as long as eight months.
Lavigne, in a letter he personally delivered to each board member Wednesday night, outlined proposed provisions of an ordinance.
He asserted, “The nation is moving forward on this issue. The Michigan House of Representatives passed 96-11 to license dispensaries, processing of edibles, labs, secure transporters and large cultivations issued 500, 1000 or 1500 plant licenses. Once that passes, likely by the end of the year, we ask Martin Township to adopt the new seven licenses, and generate additional revenues.”
The proposed ordinance would allow the township to obtain a licensing fee and an application fee, with an additional possibility of an inspection fee to ensure that regulations are being followed.
PHOTO: The Dec. 9 meeting of the Martin Township Board was the last official session for Clerk Carrie Coburn (second from left), who has served for 13 years before stepping down at the beginning of next year. Shown with her are her colleagues (from left) Trustee Jim Brenner, Trustee Jack Sipple, Treasurer Susan Tiemeyer and Supervisor Glenn Leep.