Warren Mayor James Fouts has sent a notice saying he is vetoing City Council's approval of 15 medical marijuana dispensary licenses.

Fouts sent a notice to the city clerk Wednesday, a day after the council voted 5-2 to approve the top 15 license applications. There were 65 applicants.

The City Council can override Fouts' veto, possibly at its Oct. 22 meeting.

A medical marijuana subcommittee composed of city officials reviewed the applicants, but City Council had the final vote in approving the licenses.

"While I respect the diligence of the committee members and the time to interview and review the numerous applicants, this process has resulted in numerous lawsuits against the City," Fouts wrote in his notice.

"This directly affects the administration of the City. I hope Council shares my goal of dedicating valuable City resources to economic growth and resident services, not to depositions, exorbitant attorney fees and court costs," he continued.

"My greatest fear is where all of the litigation may lead — marijuana licenses exceeding well beyond our quota," Fouts wrote.

The mayor said on Facebook in mid-September that he supports the right to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, but he worries about grow operations springing up near Warren neighborhoods.

"I voted for and believe in medical marijuana," Fouts said. "But the way the marijuana laws have been implemented is, I believe, not in the best interest of the city of Warren or the state."

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The city had passed an ordinance that would have allowed for up to 15 dispensaries.

Before they were awarded, lawyers for several dispensaries that were hoping to locate in the city sued the city because the subcommittee was meeting behind closed doors.

A Macomb County judge issued a temporary restraining order, and no licenses could be approved.

On Tuesday, the judge lifted the temporary restraining order and injunction, allowing the vote to go forward, according to court records.

The City Council was allowed to make its own determination of the merits of the applicants using the work of the review committee, but only as a recommendation, the court records state.

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Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.