FLINT, MI--City Council will hold a public hearing on Flint’s new marijuana ordinance at its next general meeting on March 9.

The new ordinance lays out exemptions potential marijuana dispensary owners can apply for. For instance, dispensaries that invest in the community in certain ways may receive an exemption.

It also outlines how and where recreational marijuana can be sold commercially.

Council members voted 7-0 to extend an emergency ordinance currently regulating the sale and zoning of recreational marijuana at its general meeting earlier this week. The ordinance was set to expire on Feb. 28.

Extending the emergency ordinance allows the council time to approve the second reading and to hold a public hearing on the new marijuana policies, said Reed Eriksson, who is with the city’s legal department.

Councilman Eric Mays, Ward 1, said in the future the council should work closer together with Flint’s planning commission and legal department on ordinances.

Flint City Council approves new zoning for recreational marijuana sales

The council approved the first reading of the amended ordinance at its Feb. 17 special meeting with a 7-1 vote. Councilman Maurice Davis dissented.

Flint’s planning commission amended Chapter 50 of the city’s zoning code on Feb. 4 with a 7-0 vote. The ordinance was originally created to regulate the manufacturing, selling and purchases of medical marijuana but now regulates recreational marijuana.

Under the new ordinance, potential business owners can qualify for zoning exemptions that benefit the community.

Flint Planning Commission votes in favor of allowing recreational marijuana

A social equity program exemption will allow Flint residents to apply for an exemption from various restrictions to start micro-businesses or have Class A grow facilities, which allow for up to 500 marijuana plants to be grown.

Applicants may be approved for these exemptions if they provide a blight elimination plan for a neighborhood within 300 feet of where they want to open shop. Blight elimination plans must be created with the input and support of Flint residents in the neighborhood and require a capital investment to alleviate structural and non-structural blight concerns in the area.

Blight elimination plans must be approved in a public hearing before the planning commission.

Flint considers opening up city for recreational marijuana sales

Applicants can also apply for an exemption from restrictions if they have an approved Park Beautification Plan. Plans must be created with input and support from Flint residents in the affected area and park volunteers. Applicants are also required to provide capital investment to improve recreational amenities and park maintenance. Plans must be approved by a public hearing before the planning commission.

The ordinance will also provide residents with a new procedure to file complaints. The resident-initiated hearings could trigger a case review for nuisances or other violations of the city’s code.

Residents can file complaints with the city. Officials would then set a case review meeting with the planning commission, the offending licensee and the complainant to address the issue. If the issue isn’t corrected within a reasonable amount of time, the applicant can have their license suspended or be subject to other provisions.