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City OKs Ordinance To Allow Medical Marijuana Facilities

Medical marijuana photo
Dank Depot
/
flickr creative commons

The Grand Rapids City Commission has voted to allow medical marijuana facilities in the western Michigan city.

The ordinance approved Tuesday will allow up to 53 provisioning centers and up to 83 medical marijuana facilities, which include growers, processors and others. They'll need proper state licensing and special land use approval from the city's planning commission.

The ordinance goes into effect Nov. 1.

The city's Planning Department had recommended up to 41 potential sites, while the Planning Commission sought up to 143 provisional centers and 293 other facilities. The distance requirement could be waived in specific instances involving parks, places of worship and rehabilitation facilities.

Michigan voters approved marijuana use in 2008 for some chronic medical conditions. Michigan voters will decide whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

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