Certain commercial establishments will be able to get licensing applications for medical marijuana Friday. Dispensaries will have to wait.
The city's new medical marijuana ordinance takes effect Saturday and sets up licensing for five types of marijuana businesses:
- Provisioning Center (dispensaries)
- Safety Compliance Facility
- Processor Facility
- Secure Transporter
- Grower Facility
Starting 8 a.m. Monday, Swope's office will begin accepting applications for safety compliance, processor, secure transporter and grower facility licenses.
Provisioning Center Applications will not be accepted yet. The amount of applications will be a determining factor on how soon the Clerk’s Office will be able to make a selection for the first twenty conditional licenses.
Right now there are about 70 dispensaries in Lansing. In some parts of the city there are several shops on the same block. The ordinance puts regulations on how many dispensaries are allowed and where they can open up shop.
City Clerk, Chris Swope, says the application process will not be on a first come first serve basis.
"It's not about getting in first. It's about having a good application and business plan and it will let us know that they are going to be a good participant in the community and creating jobs and have a positive economic impact", said Swope.
For more information visit lansingmi.gov/marijuana
