Ferndale, Other Suburbs Set To Cash In On Medical Marijuana

While the City of Detroit struggles with its medical marijuana policy, Ferndale and other suburbs across the area are preparing to allow dispensaries, according to the Detroit Free Press. One convert to the medical marijuana cause is Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter. In 2013, when Ferndale residents voted 2-to-1 to decriminalize marijuana possession, the mayor denounced the choice, arguing that if marijuana was illegal under state and federal law, it should be illegal in Ferndale. Former Mayor Craig Covey favored decriminalization, so the city’s (and the state’s) first two openly gay mayors were on opposite sides of the debate. Today, Coulter supports legal marijuana businesses in Ferndale.

“Our planning commission is still finalizing its recommendations, but I’m confident that Ferndale is going to participate, but then the question becomes which licenses and how many,” Coulter told the Freep. “I know we have a reputation as a progressive place, but we’ve wanted to do this very thoughtfully. We’re going to dip our toe in the water, rather than dive off the deep end.”

The mayor told C&G Newspapers that he doesn’t think Ferndale residents should have to leave town for their medication, even when that medication is marijuana, but that grow operations probably won’t find place in town for practical reasons.

After voters in Detroit passed a measure in November 2017 that would’ve allowed for expansion of dispensaries, a judge in the city ruled that voters can’t directly change city ordinances, leaving decision making in the hands of the city once again. only 70 of the city’s original 250 or so medical marijuana dispensaries remain open. Medical marijuana is a $710 million-a-year business in Michigan, and some experts say the profits could top $1 billion a year if adult recreational marijuana makes it on the the ballot and passes this fall.

In addition to Ferndale, other metro Detroit communities considering medical marijuana businesses include Walled Lake, Hazel Park, River Rouge, Centerline, and Harrison and Orion Townships. Inkster passed new legislation, too, and already has several medical dispensaries currently operating within city limits.

For full coverage, visit The Detroit Free Press.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images.