Marenisco board discusses possible marijuana enterprise

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

Marenisco - The question of how to manage the recreational marijuana business was a topic at a Monday evening meeting of the Marenisco Township board.

Board members voted Jan. 28 to consider opting into such business, but they do not yet have a draft of a preliminary ordinance from township attorney Jim Bucknell.

Meanwhile, board members pondered how many issues they might need to address in the event of opening the township to various types of marijuana enterprise.

County supervisor Richard Bouvette said there is no way to estimate now how many persons might apply to engage in marijuana commerce. "We might have one," he said. "We might have 20."

He said if county officials pass the ordinance, they'll have to decide a list of related issues, such as what fees to charge applicants, and in what areas and by what terms to allow a range of possible marijuana interests.

According to Bouvette, possibilities could include growing, processing, testing, sales, etc.

Beyond that, he said there will be numerous details. "What kind of fences are we going to allow," he asked. "Wood, concrete, steel? Six foot, eight foot?"

The supervisor, who also acts as board chairman, said signage is another issue. "Are we going to allow a sign that says 'Three Blocks to Kelly's ...'"

"Kelly's Hemp House," answered trustee Kelly Dunbar in a partially light moment.

From the audience, Donald Horn II, of Marenisco, strongly opposed allowing any aspect of the marijuana business in the township.

"For our community to open our arms to this is a big mistake," he said. "There's no good that's going to come from any of it."

Horn said he fears future marijuana use will result in more traffic accidents, greater health costs, an increase in crime and an influx of bad elements.

Even in relation to mere nuisance, he said, "I've got people complaining they can't go anywhere in Ironwood without smelling it (already)," he said.

Horn, who is a first lieutenant with the Wakefield Post of the Michigan State Police, said, "If it comes to this town, I'm probably going to leave," he said.

"We still have a long way to go before we do anything," reminded Bouvette, who said that the township will offer a public hearing on the ordinance before voting on it.

If the ordinance does pass, then he said in relation to all related concerns, "We're going to have to try to get it right the first time."

Bouvette also emphasized that no enterprise can occur before the state issues related guidelines, and that action is not expected until late this year.

Ojibway Appeal

In other news, Bouvette reported that Marenisco filed an appeal on Feb. 7 with the state court of appeals in relation to a lower court's ruling against Marenisco's attempt to sue the Michigan Department of Corrections for closing Ojibway Correctional Facility at the end of last year without following the procedure that officials here believed the area deserved.

Now, said Bouvette regarding the appeal, "We are questioning that MDOC did not properly notify or question people in this area (before announcing the prison closure)."

He said the county may not get word on the appeal until sometime in the summer.

The board's next meeting will be on March 18 at 6 p.m. in the Marenisco Township Hall. The public is welcome.