Pinckney planning to opt out of medical, recreational marijuana

The Village of Pinckney plans to opt out of any and all involvement in recreational and medical marijuana facilities. 

A resolution is on the agenda for the village council’s meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the village hall at 220 S. Howell St. to consider amending its code of ordinances to prohibit marijuana establishments – medical and recreational – from being created within the village limits.  

Opting out can be done by invoking respective clauses in the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act and the Michigan Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act. 

The resolution comes days after Michigan voters passed Proposal 1, a legislative initiative entitled “Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol”. 

Attempts have been made to reach village officials for comment. 

In Putnam Township Precinct 3, which represents the entire village, 674 votes were cast in favor of passing the proposal, while 387 residents voted against passing it, and 10 ballots did not have a vote cast for or against approving the proposal, according to unofficial results. There 1,071 total votes cast in the village. 

In Livingston County, 52,990 people, or 54%, voted in favor of passing the proposal while 44,355 people, or 45%, voted not to approve it, according to unofficial results. 

Statewide, there were 2.3 million votes cast statewide on Tuesday in favor of passing the proposal, and 1.8 million cast rejecting it, according to unofficial state election results. 

Other communities in the county have varying stances on the issue. 

In October, Brighton officials discussed possibly changing ordinances to allow some types of commercial marijuana licenses; none are currently allowed there.  

However, medical marijuana dispensary BHHC in Brighton is still active. 

Genoa Township does not have any ordinance related to either medical or recreational use of marijuana. 

RELATED: Brighton may look to marijuana businesses to help fund road repairs

In May, Green Oak Township adopted an amendment to its code of ordinances allowing medical marijuana activities in homes but still banning the creation of any and all types of medical marijuana facilities. 

Also on the meeting agenda: 

• considering a resolution to lease parking space in a vacant area to contractors for a rate to be established each fiscal year, and for the revenue gained to be transferred to the public works department; 
• consider a resolution to petition to the county board of commissioners to annex to the village land at 498 Kirkland Court for ownership of land where the village’s water system is treated. It also resolves that the board of commissioners hold a public hearing on the matter and take action on it; and 
• consideration of approving a policy for residential homeowners who are away from their residence for an extended period of time – no less than 30 consecutive days but no more than 90 consecutive days – have a reduced fee to be paid in their quarterly utility bill. If passed, the “snowbird” rate will be determined annually by the council and is subject to any annual contract rate increases.

Contact Livingston Daily reporter Sean Bradley at 517-552-2860 or at spbradley@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @SbradleyLD.

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