Ypsilanti to reconsider emergency moratorium for medical marijuana facilities
After delaying the decision to impose an emergency moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries and grow facilities, the Ypsilanti City Council will reconsider the proposed ordinance Tuesday.
The Ypsilanti City Council voted to postpone its decision on an emergency moratorium on medical marijuana facilities.
The council delayed its decision at a May 21 meeting, citing a need for more information, specifically in regards to the legality of imposing a moratorium with businesses halfway in the process of opening in the city.
Council member Ricky Jefferson and Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson brought forth the ordinance, which requested no additional permits and licenses be granted related to medical marijuana until city staff reviews the present density of licenses already granted.
Council voted 4-3 to table the ordinance.
Jefferson said his main concern was the high number of facilities being located within Ward 1.
Ypsilanti has the following dispensaries and grow facilities within city limits:
- Ward 1 has two dispensaries, with one potential dispensary. The ward also has one grow facility and one potential grow facility.
- Ward 2 has one dispensary.
- Ward 3 has three dispensaries and one potential grow facility.
Several community members attended the May 21 meeting to voice their disapproval of more dispensaries opening in the community — particularly Ward 1.
Victoria James, a lifelong Ypsilanti resident and area pastor, said at this time, the last thing the city needs is additional medical marijuana facilities opening.
"That's just not what this city needs," James said. "I embrace people wherever they are, but that is not what needs to happen at the entryway of the city of Ypsilanti."
Yet, some residents and dispensary owners had a different belief and stated the businesses are good for the city and local economy. Ypsilanti resident John Evans, who spoke at the May 21 meeting, is slated to present before council Tuesday the "History/Synopsis of Medical Marijuana."
The Ypsilanti City Council meeting will begin at 7 p.m., following a closed session meeting to discuss pending contract negotiations.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
TK2013
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 8 p.m.
The issue here is that we have seven elected officials and numerous extremely well-compensated staff members working on an issue that, in terms of importance to the vast majority of citizens, pales in comparison to the multitude of critical matters for which these folks should be addressing and seeking solutions. Does it really matter how many medical marijuana dispensaries we have when the city is on a trajectory toward insolvency?
ahi
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 5:45 p.m.
Perhaps we can have a moratorium on churches? The dispensaries at least pay taxes.
ahi
Wed, Jun 5, 2013 : 7:38 p.m.
So this is ancient at this point, but the dispensaries (or their landlords) don't pay property taxes?
Brian Robb
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.
It's a losing argument to say dispensaries pay taxes. They only pay taxes on personal property (which is disappearing in 2014). Puff Danny's has $700 worth of personal property. Canna Cure has $1,500 in personal property. Herbal Solutions has $3,900 in personal property. Depot Town Dispensary has $2,800 in personal property. Cross Street MMM has $0 in personal property. Sticky Ypsi has a surprising $20,000 in personal property. Green Vitality has $0 in personal property. All told, six dispensaries and one growing facility have personal property totaling $29,200. They paid $2,108.13 in taxes. Of that, a whopping $1,028.02 filled the City's coffers. Is that more than the churches paid to the City last year? Sure, but come 2014, they will both pay $0. It's the wrong argument.
Julius Vass
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.
Compassionate, safe and ethical use of Marijuana, Colorado already has seen a positive impact in the lives of the sick and" growing" future, taxes, jobs, health, benefits and agricultural.All states should follow suit. Jack Herar , Author of the HEMP/Marijuana Bible Emperor wears no clothes explains all the positive uses for a plant revered around the world as sacred. Marijuana is not just for some old hippie pot heads to drop out of society. The Green revolution is simply a way for all people to get along on our beautiful planet earth, politics seemed to interfere with progress. Example: how many restaurants operate in Washtenaw county, employing thousands and revenue in taxes?Not only is medical marijuana good for the needy it helps the restaurant/food industry. Munchies anyone!
Citywatch
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
We have bigger problems to address. No need to spend valuable council time on this. We won't let the fire department do a presentation on how to help maintain effective fire and police protections for the city and yet council will spend time trying to further the religious agenda of lois and Ricky (both "pastors") in an effort to deny the right of people to establish leagl and tax paying businesses in a city that needs the revenue. Study density and location in the proper place, the Planning Department. Get this off the city council agenda.
Katrease Stafford
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 2:50 p.m.
Citywatch, The firefighters will be able to present now. They're slated to give a presentation at Tuesday's meeting. Here's a link to the most recent story I wrote about that: http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/ypsilanti-to-allow-firefighters-to-make-presentation-against-hybrid-model/
deadpidgeon
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 1:03 p.m.
Have they discussed the idea of limiting the number of locations selling chemical pharmaceuticals?
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 12:43 p.m.
Ironically, they'd probably welcome pfeizer, who would take all of their profits out of the community, and whose product has been linked with numerous deaths every year. But they ignorantly shun the opportunity to build local businesses that would likely keep all their profits in the local community.
Michigan Reader
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 10:56 p.m.
Pfizer never sold their products from their Plymouth Road research campus, they didn't even manufacture anything there. The financial benefit to the city was that they were Ann Arbor's biggest taxpayer, and their employees generated business for the surrounding area. So, there never were any profits from the Plymouth Rd. complex.
TK2013
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 12:39 p.m.
What a shame that Jefferson and Richardson bury their heads in the sand when it comes to the real issues facing the community (e.g., gangs, escalating serious crimes, woefully inadequate staffing in the police department, empty storefronts, etc.). Please leave your religious "values and beliefs" outside of city hall and focus on the real issues and problems facing your constituents. Medical marijuana dispensaries should be at the bottom of your list of concerns facing the community. Stop blaming medical marijuana dispensaries for serious crime, gangs and other problems plaguing the community. The real sources of our problems are elected officials like Jefferson and Richardson who refuse to confront and work on real solutions to real problems. Instead, they hide and scapegoat medical marijuana dispensaries. What a community disgrace!
Michigan Reader
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 10:46 p.m.
They're responding to their constituent's concerns, like good politicians.
Joey Ismail
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 12:29 p.m.
Shouldn't there be an emergency fist? Heck even an issue at all? Before we grab the fire trucks, lets locate a fire.
Mike
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 11:01 a.m.
But it's for all of the sick people to treat their illnesses.....................
John
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 2:33 p.m.
Who would've thought a conservative...hating capitalism!
Joey Ismail
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 12:51 p.m.
I guess some loons hate capitalism...
Homeland Conspiracy
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 11:33 a.m.
Mike Have a shot & a beer
UpperDecker
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 10:47 a.m.
Upperdecker is pleased to see this.