John Fraser Provides Cannabis Industry Insights to Michigan Municipalities

Section 1: Developing a Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA)/Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) Ordinance

• What are the most important aspects of an adult-use and medical marijuana ordinance that municipalities should include? (2:10)
• What kind of discussions should municipal officials have with their Planning Commission and Planner regarding a proposed ordinance? (13:22)
• Can municipalities restrict the number of licenses approved for each type? (25:00)
• Can municipalities include separation distances from churches, schools, and daycare facilities? (26:22)

Section 2: Municipal Application & Renewal Fees

• What does the municipal application process look like and what can be done to establish selection for applicants? (29:53)
• How do these efforts coordinate with the zoning and land use approval process? (39:47)
• Should only one fee be charged for equivalent license types? (43:42)
• What is the municipality regulatory authority on the a.) Fire Inspections, b.) CCTV Review, and c.) Employee Verification? (44:59)
• After a license has been approved, what other situations will a municipality have to prepare for? (46.26)

Section 3: Legal Challenges

• Do municipal authorities have to adopt the proposed ordinance approved by voters? (48:29)
• How can a municipality reduce the risk and defend itself against potential litigation related to the ordinance and selection process? (49:55)

Section 4: Tax Revenue

• Who disperses the revenue generated from marijuana taxes and fees to local governments and how often? (1:00:32)

Section 5: Social Equity Component

• What does social equity mean to a municipality and why is it important? (1:05:35)
• What are some good hiring practices to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion? (1:16:30)
• If a municipality has already adopted an ordinance for MRTMA, can it be amended to include a social equity component? How can a municipality then enforce their social equity provisions? (1:28:21)

Section 6: Ballot Measures

• What happens if a referendum is approved? (1:32:00)
• What is the process for moving a petition onto a ballot for the next regular election? (1:38:22)