Kirk Scharphorn Jr. of Professional Code Inspections of Dorr, told the Wayland City Planning Commission last week he has been receiving a record number of inquiries about the possibility of locating medical marijuana grow, processing and distribution centers.

Indeed, local township boards and the City of Wayland have been approached about adopting ordinances permitting such facilities.

Last fall, the Michigan Legislature passed and Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill that would allow local governments to decide on whether or not medical marijuana dispensaries would be legal within their borders.

The reasoning, advanced by bill sponsor State Rep. Mike Callton (R-Nashville) was that the Medical Marijuana Act approved by 63% of voters in the state in 2008, actually had some loopholes, creating problems. Because medical marijuana under the state law was confined to caregiver-grower-to-patient situations, it was difficult to monitor and enforce.

Authorities noted it was nearly impossible to track down every grower and processor and every registered card-carrying user to determine if the rules were properly being followed.

The new law, which actually does not take effect until December 2017, is an effort to provide a safe place for providers and patients to exchange money for product and supporters say it ensures the quality. The facilities would have to be under lock and key and surveillance cameras.

However, thus far local government units have been reluctant to participate. Some, like Watson Township, have indicated they don’t want to be the first ones to try out this new law, even though it would translate into more tax revenue and provide better monitoring and regulation of medical marijuana.

The West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET) has entered the fray by putting together presentations against allowing dispensaries, maintaining that the substance still is more than just a nuisance, but still a part of criminal activity. WEMET representatives at a City Council meeting asserted that Colorado, where pot is legal for recreational use, has been having many problems. However, supporters insist, citing Internet web sites such as Snopes.com, that such data has been cherry picked and unproven.

Watson Township Board members already have had presentations from two potential growers and processors. One group, a threesome, proposed local officials adopt an ordinance permitting them to establish a facility near Exit No. 55 at the U.S.-131 expressway.

The Watson Township Board voted 3-2 not to begin work on such an ordinance, often suggesting they don’t want to be the first.

Since then, the City of Buchanan has announced plans to develop a local ordinance allowing dispensaries to do business, thereby creating a model for other municipalities to follow.

Medical marijuana dispensaries have been discussed twice at Wayland city government meetings and last Thursday evening Leighton Township officials listened to a presentation from Cory Cadieux of Hudsonville, who expressed interest in opening such a business.

Cadieux acknowledged, “Nobody wants to be the first one to jump on this,” but he asserted that since the state law was approved by voters, conditions have been like “the Wild West,” with very few regulations and means to monitor.

Cadieux said he would like to build a facility of between 10,000 and 20,000 square feet and create between 10 and 25 jobs in the early going. He has no specific site in mind, but said he would want to locate in an area that would be appropriate for zoning. He said his business would sell only to qualified dispensaries, not individuals.

Cadieux said he and his partner, Dave Kooista, have made presentations and requests to the Village Middleville, Orangeville Township, the City of Wayland and Jamestown Township and Byron Township in Ottawa County. He said data from the 2008 election shows reasonable support in areas of Barry County and Allegan County, but Ottawa County, which had blue laws against alcohol for many years until recently, seems adamantly opposed.

But, he asserted, “It’s happening all around us… If it’s going to be legal, there is a way it has to be.”

He said current plans are to pay employees between $10 and $12 an hour and he estimates between $9 million and $14 million worth of business annually.

PHOTOS: Kirk Scharphorn Jr.

Cory Cadieux