Howell considers allowing medical marijuana facilities

The Howell City Council will consider a medical marijuana ordinance Monday that allows, but regulates, "provisioning" and growing centers and sets use standards for licensed caregivers operating out of residences.

It doesn't affect home use by individual patients with state registration cards.

The council meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Paul Bennett Recreation Center, 925 W. Grand River Ave.

Though approval isn't guaranteed, a local attorney specializing in medical marijuana issues praised the city for tackling the subject.

"Right now, there is no place in Livingston County for patients to legally obtain medical marijuana," Denise Pollicella said. "I'm proud of Howell for taking this step, and I hope other Livingston County communities will look at what Howell has done."

The proposed ordinance defines provisioning centers as commercial entities, including membership clubs.

They would be permitted as a special land use in areas zoned for business or industrial use, but would be restricted to sites more than 1,000 feet from schools.

Facilities would be licensed by the city clerk with review by police. They would also be subject to city inspections.

Marijuana couldn't be used on site. Licenses would also have to be renewed each year.

Facilities also could not set up shop within 500 feet of another licensed facility.

Zoning restrictions would generally prevent centers from locating downtown.

Growing facilities would be limited to industrial areas only under similar provisions.

Home use areas would be permitted in dwellings where no more than 25 percent of one floor was reserved for medical marijuana-related use.

No more than five registered patients could be assisted in any week.

Home use areas would also be subject to licensing by the city clerk.

Home caregivers would also have to provide their services at least 1,000 feet from schools.

Michigan voters approved medical marijuana use in 2008, but distribution standards have remained unclear.

City officials had placed and extended a moratorium on dispensaries for several months, awaiting action from the state Legislature.

But with no action coming from Lansing, the city decided to proceed on its own.

Contact Livingston Daily reporter Wayne Peal at 517-548-7081 or wpeal@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @wpeal.