Livonia joined the ever-growing list of communities not wanting marijuana facilities this past week.

The city council voted unanimously at its Dec. 3 meeting to change the city's ordinance and ban facilities from selling recreational marijuana. The vote changed the city's ordinances to be in compliance with the recently approved Proposal 1, which voters across the state approved Nov. 6 allowing for the use and possession of marijuana on a recreational basis.

The change was done as something to "cover our bases," Councilman Scott Bahr said.

"My intent here is not to squelch any discussion. If we would like to continue to discuss this in committee or whatever, I don't have a problem with that at all," said Bahr, who offered the reading of the ordinance. "If after discussing, we choose to reconsider, we have every opportunity to do that.

"But that law goes into effect on Thursday (Dec. 6)."

The city joins several others in banning such facilities, including Birmingham, after the passage of Proposal 1. The vote was unanimous for changing the ordinance, as was sending the issue to a city council committee for its review.

Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved the proposal, including in Livonia, which voted nearly 55 percent "yes" to allow for recreational weed.

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The change in local ordinance doesn't affect possession or usage of marijuana in permitted areas under the proposal, officially known as the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act. Under the act, residents 21 and older will still be able to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana on their person, so long as it isn't smoked in public. Residents can have up to 10 ounces of legal weed in their homes and can grow 12 plants.

"This doesn't rescind the law that was just voted on. The changes in this state with marijuana is as relevant here as it is anywhere else," Bahr said. "But what it does allow is for communities to place restrictions on where businesses can be opened up and that's what the intent of this is."

More discussion

Smoking weed in public or driving under the influence remains illegal, and employers can still fire employees found to have the drug in their system.

Council Vice President Jim Jolly said he would have liked to have more discussion on the issue before voting on the proposal, despite supporting its concept. He said he'd like to hear more from residents before approving the issue.

"As a Livonia resident, as a father, as somebody who values our community for what it is and what it has been, I do not want medical marijuana facilities or other marijuana sale facilities in the city of Livonia. Not at all," he said. "But I think it is our responsibility to have meetings to discuss things and do due diligence before we vote on them."

The issue was originally placed onto the council's Nov. 19 regular agenda as an additional item, but was removed hours after it was announced. The item was proposed at that meeting for addition onto the Dec. 3 regular agenda.

The issue could be revised again depending on what happens during the lame duck session at the state Capitol the next few weeks, said Council President Laura Toy, who also works as chief of staff for state Sen. Judy Emmons, R-Sheridan. Legislators there have proposed amending the law to ban home growing of marijuana. That requirement would need a ¾-majority vote to change the voter-approved proposal.

"Believe it or not, they're still in session in Lansing, which can be very interesting at times," Toy said.

Contact David Veselenak at dveselenak@hometownlife.com or 734-678-6728. Follow him on Twitter @davidveselenak.