Mount Clemens extends medical-marijuana moratorium, schedules June 19 workshop

The Mount Clemens City Commission approved an extension of a moratorium—first adopted Nov. 2, 2015—on establishments engaged in dispensing or distributing medical marijuana, extending it another 180 days so the city can review state legislation and develop local regulatory controls if desired.

City staff explained the moratorium extensions were tied to pending state legislation that established five categories of regulated medical-marijuana businesses and created a licensing system. Staff and commissioners noted the new state licensing agency would not accept applications until Dec. 15; until then, local governments have time to consider whether to allow any of the five business types, prohibit them, or draft local ordinances limiting particular categories.

A commissioner urged interested residents to attend upcoming work sessions for public input. The administration announced the first workshop on the subject will be held June 19 at about 5:45 p.m., and details will be posted publicly.

Commissioners said they will hold work sessions and, if there is interest, draft ordinances to regulate activities the city chooses to allow; if the commission decides to disallow all activity, staff said they will draft a simple ordinance to that effect.