The list of pro-pot communities in Greater Lansing might grow a little longer. Both Charlotte and Meridian Township are surveying residents about whether to allow recreational marijuana businesses.
It’s been legal for Michiganders to use marijuana recreationally since late 2018, although local officials can choose whether to allow businesses that grow, process, test, sell or transport the drug in their jurisdictions.
East Lansing and Lansing are the only communities in the tri-county area with recreational marijuana sales. Windsor Township and DeWitt Township prohibit the stores that sell the drug, but allow other types of recreational marijuana businesses.
In Meridian Township, medical marijuana businesses are allowed but none are open. The township’s triennial resident survey includes questions about recreational, marijuana businesses and trustees could vote later this year to open Meridian’s doors to the recreational side of the industry.
Meanwhile, a group of concerned citizens has been gathering signatures for a November ballot measure that would ask voters township-wide to block recreational marijuana businesses.
Charlotte currently bans all types of marijuana businesses, although the city manager is gathering information from residents about whether to City Council should vote to allow medical and/or recreational, also known as adult-use, establishments. Residents can submit feedback through City Council’s online comment form or by sending a private message to the city’s Facebook page.
Charlotte Mayor Michael Armitage has “mixed feelings” about the businesses. He’s waiting for the city manager to present her findings at a meeting July 13.
“Having it available through a legal means is beneficial rather than having a black market in town,” Armitage said.
Related: Group gathers signatures asking voters to block recreational marijuana businesses in Meridian Twp.
The following Greater Lansing communities allow recreational marijuana businesses with restrictions:
Dewitt Charter Township
Businesses that grow, process, test and transport recreational marijuana are allowed in DeWitt, though they’re limited to certain sections of the township.
The township bans recreational marijuana retailers, microbusinesses and social clubs. Retailers are the stores that sell the drugs. A microbusiness is a small-scale enterprise that can grow up to 150 marijuana plants, process them and then sell the drug on site — think of a microbrewery but for weed. A social club is like a bar; it’s a business where people 21 and over can gather to use marijuana.
East Lansing
East Lansing allows recreational retailers, growers, processors, transporters and safety-compliance facilities. East Lansing’s marijuana ordinance doesn’t cap the number of permitted facilities, though the city limits their proliferation through zoning. Two recreational retailers, Skymint and Pleasantrees, have opened thus far.
Social clubs, also known as designated consumption establishments, are banned.
Lansing
Lansing allows up to 75 recreational marijuana growers, four microbusinesses four social clubs and 28 retailers. Fourteen retailers are licensed thus far for recreational sales in the city.
There’s no cap on transporters, safety labs or processors.
Windsor Charter Township
Windsor Township, a rural community in Eaton County, allows adult-use marijuana growers, processors, secure transporters and safety-compliance facilities in limited numbers. Retailers, microbusinesses and social clubs are banned.
Source: MichiganMarijuana Regulatory Agency
Contact reporter Sarah Lehr at slehr@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahGLehr.
