More than 60 medical marijuana businesses are registered with the city of Lansing, and 11 of them are on Michigan Ave. between US-127 and the river.

And that's not sitting well with many who live in the neighborhoods nearby. The Eastside Neighborhood Organization is made up of a handful of groups that represent all of Lansing's east side. The group sent Lansing City Council a letter last week, urging members to vote in favor of a ban on new medical marijuana establishments.

"I don't think they should all be clustered together, when we're trying make Michigan Ave. better," said Nancy Mahlow, the Eastside Neighborhood Organization president.

James Lerma opened Evolve Medical Marijuana Services two months ago, rushing to beat the moratorium. He vows to be a good neighbor, and plans to open his space to artists and bands.

"I hope the community embraces me, because I'm embracing them," Lerma said.

But neighborhood groups aren't happy about Michigan Ave., the gateway to the Capitol, turning into Lansing's medical pot capital.

"What does it say to our visitors, when they drive up and down, and all they see is medical marijuana?" Mahlow asked.

(Source: wlns.com)