Ann Arbor Marijuana Law Gets Initial OK

By

At its Oct. 18, 2010 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council gave initial approval to zoning regulations that are meant to control how medical marijuana is grown and dispensed in the city. Among other restrictions, the proposed zoning regulations include a provision that medical marijuana dispensaries can only be located in zoning districts classified as D (downtown), C (business), or M (industrial), or in PUD districts where retail is permitted in the supplemental regulations. Also, medical marijuana cultivation facilities would only be located in C (business), M (industrial), RE (research), or ORL (office/research) districts.

The council must still give its final approval of the measure at a second reading, after a public hearing, in order for the ordinance to take effect. The city’s planning commission had recommended the zoning change at its Oct. 5, 2010 meeting, along with a separate recommendation for licensing of medical marijuana dispensaries.

This brief was filed from city council chambers. A more detailed report of the meeting will follow: [link]