Plans surface for new medical marijuana dispensary at former Ypsilanti ice cream truck depot
The former Pars Ice Cream could soon be a medical marijuana dispensary.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Plans are in the works for a new medical marijuana dispensary at the former Pars Ice Cream ice cream truck depot 539 S. Huron St. just north of Interstate 94 in Ypsilanti.
It’s the latest site that could become a medical marijuana facility in the city.
Work already has started on the property, but City Planner Teresa Gillotti said the city asked the group making renovations there to stop until it submitted and received site plan approval, and pulled the proper permits.
The property is owned by Asad Khailany, who owns multiple residential properties throughout the city, Gillotti said. The group planning to open the dispensary would lease from Khailany.
Gillotti said she does not know who is planning to open the dispensary is because they haven’t submitted any applications with names. Once paperwork is submitted, it will have to go before the city's planning commission for a vote.
The building, which was originally a gas station before serving as Pars’ office, is approximately 540 square feet.
Gillotti didn’t say whether she supported a dispensary at the location, but she did point out that the property has been vacant since Pars closed three years ago.
“The property has been underutilized for several years, but it does need full site plan approval and building improvements, so it will take some doing for it to be approved,” she said.
The planning commission recently approved site plans for a medical marijuana grow operation at nearby 75 Catherine St., and another group is awaiting site plan approval for a grow operation at 834 Railroad St.
The plans come as Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson called for a moratorium on medical marijuana grow facilities and dispensaries opening in the city. The city currently has six dispensaries.
Richardson did not respond to AnnArbor.com requests for comment on her thoughts about a new dispensary on Huron Street.
The Michigan Supreme Court recently ruled that dispensaries were illegal because they weren’t addressed in the Medical Marihuana Act. But legislation to allow dispensaries and decriminalize marijuana in Michigan is in the works.
"Sate law is continually changing on this topic and there is case law that is continually developing,” Gillotti said. “As it progresses each year, as we do our inspections, we try to make sure (dispensary owners) are meeting city ordinances and licensing standards, and they are subject to state law as well.
“It’s a lot for the owners to juggle and they’re operating at their own risk."
Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter. Reach the AnnArbor.com news desk at news@annarbor.com.
Comments
dading dont delete me bro
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 1:21 a.m.
i'd.rather have the ice cream man.
Michigan Reader
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 12:46 a.m.
The Michigan Supreme Court released an opinion on February 3rd of this year, in the case of the State of Michigan v. Brandon McQueen, (Isabella County) saying that the SALE of MM was included in the term "transfer." What the court said was illegal was the patient to patient TRANSFERS.
nunya
Sun, Mar 31, 2013 : 12:26 a.m.
Isn't that the same product the ice cream trucks were selling?
Matt Lang
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 8:11 p.m.
They could call it " Nice Dreams" maybe still have a few flavors of ice cream, like Caramel Cannabis Crunch, or Northern Lights Nougat,etc. Just a thought.
Michigan Man
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 6:05 p.m.
Property looks like a toxic waste dump - Crowd headed over to that location probably not the 1% group in Ann Arbor or Ypsi. Any odds on after opening the the first armed robbery occurs?
Tom Joad
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 5:49 p.m.
6 dispensaries currently. How many does one small city need? A dispensary doesn't contribute economically to the community because customers paying $400 an oz will not be spending that money in other businesses. It's the consolidation of capital in the hands of a few, the owner, the grower and the city coffers. Ypsilanti is just tempting fate with the Federal government because soon they will start going after landlords like they are doing in California. If dispensaries are illegal then the city has no business issuing a license that is contrary to state law. The argument that the law is in flux is farcical. They should all be shut down until the law allows for them. Currently it doesn't. The pot profiteers have commandeered the noble intent of the medical marijuana for their own gain and have hoodwinked local governments to go along with them. How many of these dispensaries pay federal tax on their illicit gains?
TheDiagSquirrel
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 5:05 p.m.
Go and cop me a bag of weed, then drive and take a drag on 23
dogpaddle
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.
Whether you think marijuana should be legal or not, you have to admit that a property that sat vacant for years is now hopefully going to not sit vacant. Even if you are opposed to the type of income it is generating for the business operator and the landlord, no matter which side of the aisle you come from, not having abandoned property sitting around is the best thing for any community. And for those of you who still say marijuana is not medicine, I will tell you this: I am almost 60 with chronic arthritis due to an accident I had when I was 20. I do NOT tolerate pharmaceutical pain killers very well (bad sad effects) and get this - they ARE addictive. I also intend to put off surgical procedures for it for as long as possible, maybe even forever. If you are against marijuana (alleged medical use or not), then don't use it. Whether I use it or not has no effect on those of you who are opposed to it. And if you don't like my choices, then I have the following demands for you: back off the booze (which also has its medical benefits at times and in moderation); don't smoke cigarettes; and if you are overweight, back away from the trough and stay away from fast food and big gulps. If you are offended by my saying that, good - that's how it feels to for someone else to decide what is best for you.
Goofus
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.
Sounds shady as all get out....
djm12652
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 3:10 p.m.
"Gillotti said she does not know who is planning to open the dispensary IS because they haven't..." Seriously? Sentence structure people....
Jack Gladney
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:45 p.m.
Too bad the the ice cream is gone. It goes great with my "medical" marijuana. And some Grateful Dead. Darn this dadgum bursitis. Don't Bogart my medicine, dude.
Joe Kidd
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:45 p.m.
Is Ypsilanti really in such bad shape they have to sell dope to attract business?
Alfred E Newman
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 5:50 p.m.
dope is hard drugs
a2citizen
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:52 p.m.
It's too bad their university doesn't have the entrepreneurial expertise it takes to rake in a billion-plus in government handouts.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:38 p.m.
If this actually happens I think I'll open an ice cream store across the street. ;)
Caring
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 3:11 p.m.
You could sell munchies!
djm12652
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 3:08 p.m.
with brownies and fritos available?
Jon Wax
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:38 p.m.
common sense says... "dispensary robbed for second time since opening" not long after. horrrrrible location. does the owner throw in a "kick me" sign for free? Peace Wax
mady
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:30 p.m.
Glad to see it! sick people need their medicine, and yes to all you doubters out there, there are more of them than you think.
Caring
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 3:14 p.m.
Ah, yes, and alcohol is also used medicinally, surely more often than we all think!
David Cahill
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.
AnnArbor.com, please resist the temptation to say that the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that dispensaries are illegal. It didn't. It ruled that a particular type of dispensary business model was illegal.
jondhall
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 12:40 p.m.
Sooner or later a civilization either gets what it wants or it get what it deserves. Government regulation to suppress the people can never last for long when police UNIONS drive up the cost of protection. I'm sure the ATTORNEYS will pass some more laws to line their pockets. Marijuana should have been legal all along in my opinion. Right around the corner some legislator will come up with a novel idea "lets tax it". Same with alcohol, wake up America you are no longer the country you once was!
mady
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:29 p.m.
jondhall, too right! prohibition doesn't work and NEVER did!
dading dont delete me bro
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
deserves?
dading dont delete me bro
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.
any concerns or ordinances on having these soooo close to an expressway on AND off ramp?
a2cents
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:20 p.m.
... like alcohol at truck stops or liquor stores thus situated?
Sam S Smith
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 11:49 a.m.
I have nothing against medical marihuana, but I wasn't aware there were so many people who used it for medical reasons! It seems like there's an awful lot of dispensaries are cropping up but then again, then the prices will be lower patients because of competition.
Arboriginal
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 11:24 a.m.
This makes a lot of sense!
smokeblwr
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 11:24 a.m.
Marijuana dispensaries, check cashing, dollar stores, nail salons....why do Ann Arborites have to head to Ypsi for all their needs?
genetracy
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:22 p.m.
And do not forget the nationally famous Deja Vu.
katmando
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 11:21 a.m.
A true job creator!
a2citizen
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 10:12 a.m.
Is this going to be anything like a drive-thru beer store?
mady
Sat, Mar 30, 2013 : 2:27 p.m.
oh har-har, everyone's a comedian! ;)