Anti-business regulations are forcing marijuana dispensaries to close even in states where the plant is legal

A new anti-business legislation in the city of Detroit may cause various marijuana dispensaries to close. The law prevents pot shops from being within 1,000 ft of public schools, churches, strip clubs and other dispensaries.

In 2008, Michigan legalized medicinal marijuana; however, it has taken years for the state to come up with regulations, which vary by county.There are more than 200 medical marijuana shops open in Detroit. Approximately 211 dispensaries in Detroit were put on notice last month. They either have to meet the new requirements or shut down.

Violations will be taken care of on a case by case basis. Dispensaries that break licensing rules could be fined $500 and/or face 90 days in jail. Officials can suspend, revoke and deny licenses to shops if they fail to correct violations, fail to pay fines or receive numerous complaints.

Stricter regulations in other states

In addition to banning marijuana shops near various dispensaries, drive-through sales are not permitted, and stores are not allowed to open until 10 a.m.

Stricter marijuana regulations where the plant is legal aren’t limited to Michigan either. In Minnesota, for instance, only smokeless marijuana can be sold. Converting marijuana into vapors or oils usually costs dispensaries more money.

Patients in New York are not allowed to smoke marijuana either. State approval for new licenses has been painfully slow, restricting competition among dispensaries.

Resuscitating a crippled economy

After Detroit went bankrupt, it was difficult to find businesses to fill vacant lots. According to Detroit councilor James Tate, who was responsible for the new regulations, the city’s economy is not what it used to be.

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“We are not in the same place we were two and half years ago,” he told sources. “Communities want businesses like coffee shops and grocery stores.”

Critics note that the city’s economic recovery has been slow. They worry weeding out tax paying businesses could prevent city spending on streets, law enforcement and other goods, which would further stymie economic growth.

Bans on medical marijuana dispensaries in neighboring counties haven’t prevented them from thriving elsewhere. The bans forced the businesses to flock to Detroit; a problem that Mr. Tate believes the city must address.

“An ordinance [local law] is a living document. If it appears we went too far or not far enough we can adjust it,” he added.

The need for better state regulation

Regulating marijuana is proving to be difficult in many states, because they have nothing to base it on. Consequently, some states are looking at Colorado as a model of how to appropriately regulate medicinal cannabis.

Colorado generated $72 million in marijuana-related revenue in eleven months last year. That same year, Washington generated $67.5 million in marijuana-related revenue. Marijuana use is legal in both states for individuals over the age of 21. Other states, like Nevada, California and Massachusetts, plan to vote on completely legalizing cannabis this November.

In the meantime, Citizens for Sensible Cannabis Reform have submitted signatures to City Clerk Janice Winfrey of Detroit in an effort to have the new ordinances lifted and present new measures to city voters in August.

Sources include:

BBC.com

DetroitNews.com

Science.NaturalNews.com