Rules for marijuana shops debated at Detroit hearing

Concerned Detroiters who cringe at the rapid spread of marijuana dispensaries and medical marijuana card-holders who say they rely on the product for treatment packed a public hearing Monday to debate proposed regulations of the city's medical marijuana industry.

The Detroit City Council is considering a proposal that includes a way to license the city's approximately 150 medical marijuana shops. The proposal also has zoning restrictions on how close they can operate near schools, churches and other dispensaries.

Eunice Gantt, a lifelong Detroiter, said the growing number of marijuana dispensaries hurts the city's reputation.

“I’m concerned about the fact there’s so many dispensaries here when you look at other cities," Gantt said. "We are becoming a laughing joke.”

Several others at the hearing said they feel safe buying at medical marijuana dispensaries, which often have a security guard on site. Considering the rash of robberies and carjackings, shopping at traditional pharmacies and gas stations in Detroit can be more dangerous, supporters said.

“There is a security guard there who is able to handle any situation that may come upon me,” Pamillian McNary said. "When I go to (the drug store), I don’t know what will happen to me.”

Detroit council members agree that some rules need to be put in place. But a consensus is lacking on the details.

Councilman James Tate introduced his proposal last month. In addition to a licensing process, it would prohibit drive-through service and prevent dispensaries from staying open around the clock. Dispensaries could not be within 1,000 feet of a school, religious institution or public park, or be within 2,000 feet of another dispensary.

The Detroit planning commission is scheduled to discuss the proposed zoning restrictions at its meeting Thursday. Monday's public hearing dealt with the licensing portion of Tate's proposal.

Tate said he's not trying to shut down all dispensaries.

“This is not a witch-hunt, as it was characterized," he said. "This is really a pathway for individuals who need medical marijuana to have that access — safe access.”

Over the weekend, Councilman George Cushingberry Jr. said he wants to propose alternative rules. Cushingberry, the council's second-ranking member, wants less-restrictive zoning and to allow dispensaries to operate drive-through services. He also suggested the city wait to deal with the issue until after the state Senate votes on bills to regulate the production and sale of medical marijuana.

“I agree we have to have some regulations," Cushingberry said at the hearing. "It’s just I don’t want to put them all out of business.”

For many residents at Monday's meeting, the sheer number of the dispensaries in Detroit is alarming. They see several of the pot shops opening along 8 Mile near strip clubs and bars. The suburbs don't tolerate the dispensaries, yet they are opening at a fast pace in Detroit, said Tony Russell, a bishop at New Covenant of Peace World Impact Ministries on Van Dyke.

"We need somebody at the table in the city of Detroit saying, 'This can't happen here,' " he said.

Jamaine Dickens, a consultant working with 420 Dank, a dispensary on Gratiot with drive-through service, said the stores are getting a bad rap. Dickens said the shops are providing legal medicine to people with illnesses. He said there have only been a few shootings in recent years involving dispensaries.

"As a lifelong Detroiter, I can tell you I expect more than three shootings at gas stations and coney islands in one month," he said.

Contact Joe Guillen: 313-222-6678, jguillen@freepress.com, @joeguillen