Mount Clemens adopts 180-day moratorium on dispensaries; council also approves court budget and routine purchases

The Mount Clemens City Commission adopted a 180-day moratorium on the establishment of businesses engaged in the dispensation or distribution of medical marijuana during its Nov. 2 meeting.

City Attorney Michael Murray told the commission there remains "tremendous uncertainty among municipalities" about how to regulate dispensaries and that pending state legislation (three bills referenced in the meeting) could create licensing categories and allow municipalities to prohibit dispensaries. He reviewed the recent appellate history, noting the state Supreme Court had reversed a Court of Appeals decision and that the legislature is expected to act, and said the moratorium is a proactive measure to protect public health, safety and welfare while enabling the city to develop ordinance and zoning amendments if it chooses to allow dispensaries.

The commission approved the moratorium by roll call.

Separately, the commission approved the 41B District Court 2016 budget after a presentation from Chief Judge Sebastian Lao, who described stable finances and grant funding supporting specialty-court programs. Commissioners also approved purchases and payments of invoices; one commissioner asked whether a recent computer purchase could have saved funds through the county contract, and staff described the procurement and bidding response.

Why it matters: The moratorium gives the city time to review zoning and licensing approaches and wait for the legislature's guidance before allowing or prohibiting dispensaries; it also signals local caution while state rules are unsettled.

What comes next: Staff and the city attorney said the moratorium will buy time for the state legislative process and for the commission to consider zoning amendments and an ordinance if it decides to permit dispensaries in specified areas (likely industrial zones). The 41B budget and routine purchases will proceed as approved.