The Dexter Village Council unanimously approved a 90-day extension to its moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Monday night to give its Planning Commission more time to finalize and hold public hearings on an amended zoning ordinance that would regulate dispensaries in the village.

The current moratorium was due to expire Dec. 21 and was extended until March 21.

“I don’t agree with the approach that’s being taken,” said Council member Jim Smith, who asked if the moratorium should be extended 120 days rather than just 90 days. Smith has repeatedly said he is not in favor of allowing dispensaries in the village.

Council member Donna Fisher said she thought the Planning Commission had been “quite diligent” in crafting the ordinance amendments. On Dec. 6, the Planning Commission voted to set a series of public hearings on Jan. 3 for several zoning amendments, which will allow and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in the village.

“The village is attempting to create regulations that meet the intent of the law, while protecting the public’s health, safety and welfare,” Allison Bishop, the village’s community development director, said previously.

Council member Ray Tell was absent from the meeting.

On Nov. 4, 2008, Michigan voters approved the use of medical marijuana by a 63 percent margin statewide.

Municipalities have been struggling with whether and how to regulate medical marijuana since voters approved its use in 2008. Saline has banned medical marijuana dispensaries within its city limits. Chelsea will take up a proposed ban tonight. Dexter Township has imposed a moratorium on dispensaries while it irons out a new ordinance. Ann Arbor is also working to develop regulations, while Ypsilanti recently approved an ordinance.

Lisa Allmendinger is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Dexter stories, visit our Dexter page.