The Medical Marijuana Debate Comes to Lowell Part 2

Yesterday we recapped a bit of history behind medical marijuana in Michigan and how the debated came to Lowell.  Here is what happened during the first public hearing on the topic earlier this week.

The First Public Hearing
A public hearing on Monday, attended by over 50 people and lasting nearly an hour and 45 minutes, City Council listened to various opinions regarding allowing a medical marijuana dispensary to open within Lowell’s city limits.  The public hearing was part of a Committee of the Whole meeting so council could receive public input.  Individuals for both sides were passionate about their position, but the meeting remained orderly and respectful.  Many of those who spoke thanked council for listening to opinions and researching the issue as the issue is discussed.  

During City Council meetings there have been times when citizens have come up during a time to comment on items not listed on the agenda in order to address the medical marijuana dispensary issue.  But last night was the first opportunity where the public could speak at a hearing on just this topic.  

At the public hearing, Police Chief Steve Bukala gave a presentation with thoughts and commentary from the Lowell Police Department.  This was the first local law enforcement has had a chance to give an opinion.  “It’s all natural so it must be healthy,” Bukala said. “So is asbestos. So is lead and so is tobacco.”   He presented concerns in a slide show with regard to how dispensaries may look and whether a business where armed guards are present is a good image to have in Lowell.  He showed information taken from internet research on marijuana regarding, among other things, its classification as a Schedule 1 Drug, the amount of revenue the city would potentially receive, and asked if medical marijuana dispensaries are what Lowell wants and needs.

The department is also concerned with federal law stating marijuana is an illegal substance.  He cited the current administration’s attempt to crack down on sanctuary cities not in compliance with immigration law by restricting funds, although today a federal court blocked these orders.  The concern is potential penalties to states and municipalities where an illegal substance has been made legal.  

Additionally, interpretation of the federal government’s laws on buying and carrying a gun have left questions as to whether it is legal to buy or carry a gun and have a medical marijuana card.  Splitting hairs over the term “unlawful user” and slightly different requirements when selling vs buying a gun in the federal law and whether or not a medical marijuana card holder should be assumed to be a user add to the discussion of whether federal law should trump state law.  Bukala concluded his presentation saying he didn’t think Lowell should be used as a guinea pig for this issue.  

Connor Baker of The Hive Wellness Group, LLC did not present prepared information, but had such an opportunity during the informational Committee of the Whole in August.  He did speak during the public comment portion of the hearing and reiterated his stance of wanting to provide a quality medicinal product to those in need.  Baker is currently a caregiver with five patients.   

In an email to Lowell’s First Look, Baker offered clarification regarding how security would be set up should he open a dispensary saying, “Our Provision center will be guarded via hired security and will utilize security cameras, locking doors, safes, and a security plan of action to ensure the safety of our patients, our employees, and the residence of the surrounding areas.”  He says his version of security would not involve armed guards.  

Citizen Comments
Citizen comments were evenly split in support and against allowing a dispensary within city limits.  While passionate and sometimes personal accounts on both sides were shared for public consumption, the standing room only room remained respectful.  Many from both sides also complimented councilmembers for educating themselves and taking the time to hear from the public.  

Cancer survivors, those who have lost someone to cancer, and those who know someone with cancer spoke largely in favor of allowing a medical marijuana business.  Two citizens with direct connections to cancer did speak out against allowing the sale of medicinal marijuana in the city.  

“You can find statistics to back up anything,” said one Lowell resident who supports allowing dispensaries. She wasn’t convinced by Bukala’s numbers and thought the good of allowing medical marijuana in the city outweighed any negative impact.   

Some also spoke of how dispensaries where medical marijuana is regulated will help deter a bad product from dishonest growers.  A quality dispensary will work with patients and offer advice and products which will help their specific condition.  

During citizen comments at the City Council meeting which followed the public hearing a nurse spoke about her role working with the state to develop a training program for those who want to open a dispensary.  She stated the use of cannabis along with other medications could produce adverse results.  In support of patients having another option, she is eager to educate those looking to serve patients with an alternative medicine.  Currently there are no medical requirements for an individual to be a caregiver or apply for a dispensary license. 

Sixteen people addressed council and the audience during the hearing and three letters received at City Hall were read into record by City Clerk Sue Ullery.  Nine individuals spoke in favor of allowing a business with the purpose of growing and supplying medical marijuana.  Seven people issued comments during the meeting and three letters were read opposing allowing a medical marijuana provision center.  Breaking down the numbers further, three Lowell residents were in favor of the idea (one person did not indicate residence and is not included in this number) and nine Lowell residents do not want such a facility to set up in the city.  Additionally, during the regular City Council meeting one Lowell resident spoke against the issue and two were supportive, one of which was a Lowell resident.   

At times the lines between discussing medical marijuana and recreational use of marijuana were blurred.  There is an initiative to place the legalization of recreational marijuana in Michigan on the November 2018 ballot.  The results of the possible vote could call for a need to revisit the topic of marijuana as a whole.  New state law would be needed to regulate recreational use and determine if medical provision centers could also sell to recreational customers.  

A packed room for the public hearing on medical marijuana.

Still Up for Debate
The hearing ended with Mayor Mike DeVore thanking those who came to listen and speak.  He indicated there would be additional opportunities for the public to provide input on the issue prior to any decision being made by the five member council.  Each councilmember was given the opportunity to comment.  Each of them thanked the public for attending but none of them offered an opinion leaning either direction with regard to the issue.  

The debate over medical marijuana isn’t going away anytime soon.  Supporters on both sides will discuss benefits in treating patients, effectiveness, ideal strength, drug classification, form of ingesting or topical options, and the right vs wrong when using marijuana as a drug and more.  It’s not likely either side will have a strong enough change in opinion to make the issue easy to resolve.  

So what does this mean?  Statistics, facts, personal stories, etc. can be presented but ultimately it will be up to the five members of City Council to decide whether a medical marijuana facility should be allowed within city limits and whether a possible statewide vote on recreational marijuana a year from now should be a consideration.  

Why Lowell?  What is best for Lowell?  Owners of Bernard’s Ace Hardware, King Milling, Grand River Orthodontics, and Reagan Family Dentistry spoke against allowing dispensaries in Lowell as did former councilmember Jim Pfaller.  When the name Robert E. Lee was removed from the Showboat earlier this year some community members expressed concern over not having a say in the decision-making process, additionally stating many of the signatures obtained on the online petition were from those outside the community.  Should those outside the greater Lowell community influence the makeup of a small town?  Or does a dispensary offer an opportunity for Lowell to on the forefront of what appears to be a growing industry?

Regardless of whether one is for or against the use of marijuana for medical purposes and whether a dispensary should exist it seems as though what the Lowell community wants is where the real debate lies.  Is the potential need for such a business on the west side of the state important enough to start roots in Lowell or should another municipality take the reins?   Should the opinion of those living in the Lowell community carry more weight?  

As the debate continues, it’s important for those living in, working in, and doing business in as a visitor or retail owner to become educated on all aspects of the issue in order to voice an educated opinion.  Contact a City Council Member, write a letter and send it to City Hall, attend Coffee with Council meetings the first Saturday of each month, speak during citizen comments at council meetings or public hearings on the topic.  There isn’t a right or wrong opinion, but the more people who speak out, especially from the Lowell community, will help councilmembers make a decision based on as much local input as possible.  

Lowell’s First Look would love to hear from the community.  If you are interested in sharing your views on whether a medical marijuana dispensary should be located within the city send us an email ([email protected]) or send us a message through Facebook.  We will be working on a piece which focuses on thoughts from those with current ties to the Lowell community.  If you’d like us to publish a Letter to the Editor on our website on your behalf we will gladly do that as long as you’re willing to put your name on the document.  

As the discussion moves forward, be a part of it.

Feature photo courtesy of Connor Baker and used with permission.

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