A medical-marijuana dispensary in Portage can keep its doors open and still apply for a state license. On Tuesday the Portage City Council amended the city code after the state issued emergency rules regulating medical marijuana.
The change that council members approved will allow the Lake Effect dispensary to stay in business during a transitional time for Michigan’s medical-marijuana laws.
Though the Council voted favorably for the dispensary on Tuesday, the city has also taken Lake Effect to court for allegedly violating its zoning rules. Council Member Terry Urban, who opposed the amendment, asked why Portage would help a business that he says has broken its laws.
“This is to my mind not about compassion, it’s not about medicine, it’s not about care for the patients. It’s about trying to support an illegal business that’s been operating in the City of Portage for two years,” Urban said.
Supporters on the council argued that medical-marijuana patients in Portage would suffer if the dispensary closed.
After the vote, Texas Township resident Kacie MacLagan thanked council members for their decision. MacLagan said that as a disabled veteran, medical marijuana has helped her with several health issues.
“If it wasn’t for the business that’s presently open, I wouldn’t be able to have my medicine,” she said.
