x
Breaking News
More () »

Muskegon Heights passes medical marijuana ordinance, retail licenses not offered

In Muskegon Heights, leaders made security a big part of their ordinance.

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. - A second community in Muskegon County has passed a new ordinance regulating medical marijuana facilities on Monday night, April 23.

Muskegon Heights city council members passed the 18-page ordinance by a 5-2 vote.

City staff and city council members have been working on the medical marijuana ordinance for about 18 months.

"This is something every community is going to have to deal with," said Jake Eckholm, Muskegon Heights City Manager.

The ordinance permits five medical marijuana growing licenses, five processing licenses, two secure transport licenses and two content testing licenses.

At this time the city will not offer any retail licenses. "We are not permitting provisioning center licenses, more commonly known as dispensaries," Eckholm said. "We are not allowing at this time the retail portion of the industry."

Retail sales will be allowed in neighboring Egelston Township. That community was the first in Muskegon County to pass a medical marijuana ordinance last week.

In Muskegon Heights, leaders made security a big part of their ordinance. They are requiring multi-layered inspections, and demanding area with plants, product or cash be covered with high-resolution 360-degree security cameras.

Eckholm says vacant lots and buildings zoned for industrial use have already been purchased by investors anticipating the ordinance would pass.

Applications to get into the medical marijuana business in Muskegon Heights will be available at city hall in early May.

Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WZZM 13 app now.

Have a news tip? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.

Before You Leave, Check This Out