Township says no to recreational pot businesses

Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved a resolution at their meeting on Monday, November 26, that will prohibit the establishment of marijuana businesses within the boundaries of the township.

Township attorney Bill Hampton informed trustees that they had learned that afternoon that the new law, which was approved by a majority of Michigan's voters as Proposal 1 on November 6, to legalize and regulate marijuana like alcohol, will become effective on Thursday, December 6, “and our next meeting is December 10. We don't want to take a risk of someone renting or establishing a facility,” Hampton said.

He said that, unlike the previous law, for medical marijuana establishments, where “if we did nothing we prohibited an establishment, with this new law we have prohibit the establishment.”

The ordinance prohibits any "marijuana establishment" meaning a marihuana grower, marihuana safety compliance facility, marihuana processor, marihuana microbusiness, marihuana retailer, marihuana secure transporter, or any other type of marihuana-related business licensed by the department.

It also spells out prohibitions against growers; microbusinesses; processor; retailer; secure transporter; and safety compliance facility.

A violation of the ordinance is a municipal civil infraction, with a fine of $100 to $500, although the township can seek injunctive relief.