News

Actions

GR city leaders to vote on medical marijuana ordinance Tuesday

Posted at 4:35 AM, Jul 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-24 04:36:05-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- It's a big day for city commissioners in Grand Rapids, who are set to vote on an ordinance surrounding medical marijuana.

The ordinance would allow more than 40 medical marijuana facilities to operate across the city. It would also ensure dispensaries are more than 1,000 feet from places like schools, parks, churches, and day care centers. The other part of the ordinance is a $5,000 annual registration fee.

City leaders have already heard from the public on several different occasions and now they are set to vote on the ordinance.

But today's vote is coming under scrutiny from the Kent County Prevention Coalition, which claims allowing these facilities could affect our children.

"Once things become law, they're very hard to change," said Denise Herbert, director of prevention services at Network 180. "So, what we want to do is say, 'Hey, let's take a step back and put all of the language in this.' So, our fight is not against the medical marijuana, it's about strengthening the ordinance the way that it is."

Tonight's vote is set for 7 p.m., and FOX 17 plans to be there.

Come November, residents statewide will vote on the legalization of recreational marijuana, limiting sales to individuals 21 years or older, and a 10 percent tax on the sale price.