ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Thursday, the Escanaba City Council adopted an amendment to its marijuana zoning ordinance that will limit where dispensaries can set up shop.
The amendment states that a marijuana retailer cannot be within 500 feet of a “post-secondary education institution.” Until now, the ordinance only prohibited retailers from opening within 750 feet of a K-12 school, with an exception for commercial districts.
The existing ordinance also says dispensaries cannot be within 100 feet of a “one-family dwelling.” The amendment adopted at Thursday’s City Council meeting changes the language of that restriction to 100 feet of “any residential district.”
“It simplifies enforcement of the ordinance as it stands,” said Escanaba Planning and Zoning Administrator Tyler Anthony. “Before, it was a little strange to enforce something without a clear way to see on paper what’s where. Plus, we’re covering Bay College or any other higher education institutions for any buffers they might want.”
Each City Council member in attendance at the meeting voted in favor of adopting the amendment. Anthony says the amendment will go into effect in ten days.
Click here for more background information on the adopted amendment to the city’s marijuana ordinance.
