Residents Voice Opinions on Adult-Use Marijuana Store

HARRISON – The Harrison City Council held a special hearing Feb. 28 to gather input from residents regarding whether or not the city should allow a retail marijuana business within its boundaries.

Attorney Dan Harris – who, along with Alexander Keiswetter, is co-founder of The Woods marijuana dispensary in Detroit, Cheboygan and other locales – had previously made a presentation to Council about the city changing its “opt out” position and allowing the establishment of a marijuana retail business in Harrison. The two later met jointly with Council and the Harrison Planning Commission and the city’s attorney to further discuss the possibility.

Thus, in early November, Harris and Keiswetter came to the Harrison Planning Commission with prepared ordinance language and proposed permitting forms – something the commissioners had seemed to find a bit slick and presumptive. Feeling they had been hurried along toward a decision which would be in direct opposition to the one settled on previously, the planning commission had chosen to stand with the original decision to “opt out.”

The enticement of recreational marijuana tax payments to communities, however, has remained a dangling carrot to some on the Harrison City Council. Harris and Keiswetter had reported the payments for 2020 sales paid out in 2021 were roughly $28,000, and they further estimated that payout per retail unit for 2021 sales would be $45,000 to $50,000.

Prior to commencement of the Feb. 28 public hearing, attorney Harris described his three-year history in the marijuana dispensary business and told attendees that he and his business partner were interested in starting a business in Harrison and that they had found a location they were interested in.

Harris acknowledged that most Michigan communities had opted out in the beginning, but that there is a significant tax benefit to having an adult use dispensary. Using figures which had been revised a bit upward, he noted last year that amount was $28,500 per store, and that this year it would be $50,000. Harris also spoke of the industry’s high degree of regulation, from vetting and background checks to security requirements and lighting. He also noted that in Michigan all the product is tested “from seed to sale” with bar codes for tracking of all of it.

Harris added that one of the major reasons the state had moved to legalization had been to collapse the black market in marijuana sales, as well as to have a regulated, tested product. He assured that the system works, and that it is better than the system currently in place: buying it from the black market, or having it delivered from elsewhere wherein the city does not collect the tax dollars.

Another point Harris touched on was the absence of evidence that there is any correlation between the presence of a marijuana dispensary and an uptick in crime. He also promoted his own business, saying it “gives back” to the communities via programs that support community beautification, scholarship funds, improvements to parks and recreation, and blight prevention.

He summed up saying he didn’t think the marijuana dispensary would be any different than having a liquor or tobacco store, restaurant or any other store visible when traveling through the town.

Noting that Council had asked for input from the public, Council member Mick Haley read aloud the two letters which had been submitted:

“Dear City of Harrison City Council Members,

I’m writing in regards to the proposed medical and adult-use marijuana business in the City of Harrison. Why? That is my first question that comes to my mind. Why do we want to embrace a retail medical, recreational marijuana store in our sweet city? Because it is legal? Only in the state, but not federally. Remember that medical use marijuana has been legal since 2008 and recreational marijuana has been legal since 2018. Has illegal marijuana stopped being used and sold in Harrison? Has our crime decreased? Will having our very own retail establishment in our city make our city a better place to live? What message will it send to our children? Remember: “Legal,” as we have come to know, does not mean “without harm.” Remember what your parents, or at least mine, used to say: Just because Johnny’s going to jump off that bridge does not mean that you should, too. We are already struggling with crime. Many times it is drug related, both legal and illegal. Do we think increasing access to marijuana through a storefront retail establishment in our sweet City of Harrison will in the long run be a good thing? I sure hope that it is not about the money. So, let’s keep Harrison different – a better different. Is this going with the flow that could lead to a flood? Thank you for listening and for the work that you do to continue to care and grow Harrison.

Sincerely, Terri Koehler”

“Harrison is currently under Ordinances that prohibit sales of Marijuana within our City Limits. Our Population has not changed significantly to require changes to our adopted ordinances. (April 2019) At time of drafting, voting and implementing ordinances we could not justify the cost to the City for the limited number of Marijuana users. We voted in favor of the majority of residents. Marijuana can be purchased in neighboring communities. Harrison Residents voted to Opt OUT of all SALES.

Thank You, David Sanders”

Council then moved to open the public hearing and receive public comment. In the fairly packed Council Chamber, a solid dozen people voiced their opinions on the proposed business. Nearly all touched on the importance of medical marijuana, how it is essential to some and that its effects can mean the difference between loved ones being present in their own lives or struggling with intractable pain or confusion.

A predominant theme, among even those who proclaimed themselves to be non-users of marijuana products, was the right of those who wish to do so, to legally use them.

The majority of those who spoke did focus on the jobs and tax monies which could be realized by the city. It also was noted that while marijuana and marijuana products are available legally, only those sold within the city’s boundaries could bring in tax dollars – and that is an argument which persists in being heard.

One audience member brought up a previous local ballot measure designed to prohibit sales of marijuana within the city, and questioned whether that vote would have any effect on how the city could proceed in the current circumstance. Jaynie Hoerauf, the city’s attorney, assured that she would look into that question and report back to Council.

A recent report from the state showed retail prices for marijuana had fallen considerably, and that will be something to keep an eye on when estimating what the actual tax revenues to the city might be.