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The Village of Calumet recently joined a small number of Upper Peninsula communities that allow the operation of medical marijuana businesses.
These facilities will consist of three provisioning centers, two safety compliance facilities, two secure transporters, three processors and three growers.
City officials expect there to be some controversy because of the decision, but also expect this to be an economic opportunity for the village.
“There is a financial benefit to the village,” explained David Geisler, President of the Village of Calumet. “We have the opportunity to charge up to $5,000 dollars in licensing fees on behalf of the village. In addition to that, there is a special sales tax imposed on medical marijuana by the State and a portion of that would potentially come back to the village. So obviously there is a revenue stream adopted with it.”
The operation of these various facilities is restricted to the general commercial, downtown commercial and industrial districts as defined by the Village of Calumet Zoning Ordinance.
Individuals interested in operating a medical marijuana business will need to go through the State to get the proper paperwork and be approved before coming to the Village of Calumet.
“Applicants have to apply to the State where they will be thoroughly vetted,” said Geisler. “This is to make sure there is no criminal background. Now when it comes to growers and processors there also has to be evidence of substantial financial investment within the business.”
The ordinance will go into effect next month.
For more information on the ordinance you can click here.
Original story by ABC-10’s Dan Callahan, click here:
