Dexter Moves Closer to Allowing Medical Marijuana

The Village of Dexter is well on its way to allowing medical marijuana dispensaries within the village limits. The Planning Commission unanimously approved several amendments to the zoning ordinance Monday.

The commission held public hearings on amendments to several parts of the ordinance. In the end, the group agreed to recommend adding medical marijuana dispensary and home occupation definitions, including medical marijuana as a home occupation and adding dispensaries in the special land use regulations. It also voted to include dispensaries in the village's C-1 or Community Commercial District, located at the intersection of Central Street and the Conrail crossing.

The amendments passed with an 8-0 vote, with Commissioner Thomas Phillips absent.

Mike Robb of Dexter said he is against marijuana dispensaries in the village.

"I'm not in favor of this medical marijuana, period. Michigan passed a law that you can use medical marijuana, but it's still a federal crime. It's dope," he said. "If you bring it in here, whether they have permits or not, it's going to get out to the kids. I don't want my family growing up around it."

Kevin Dombkowski of Webster Township said the ordinance does not adequately address the distance of home occupations from schools.

"It seems a lot of attention has been paid to the dispensary portion (of the ordinance), where distance from schools has been carefully designated. I'm concerned that similar consideration has not been given to home occupations," he said. "If I have a home occupation next to the schools, is that allowable?"

Jay Bykowski of Macomb County said he would like to see dispensaries in the village but believes the ordinance is too restricting.

"If things go well here, my wife and I are very much looking forward to setting up shop (in Dexter)," he said. "The only problem I have (with the amendments) is the restriction of two maximum caregivers permitted to operate a dispensary. By its nature a dispensary is a collective, which is more than two people. The nature of a collective is to have multiple caregivers and patients sharing the medicine."

Bykowski compared patients using medical marijuana to those using Oxycontin or Vicodin.

 "You build up a tolerance to it, so you constantly have to switch the strain you are smoking," he said.

Bykowski said he doubts anyone will pay the fees for building rent, security and other financial requirements for permits if they can only serve 10 patients.

Misty Bykowski, who also supports dispensaries in the village, said her concern is with home occupations.

"I do have a fear of many people coming to your property if you are growing (marijuana) and your address is public knowledge, but I am a proponent of medical marijuana and I'm hoping to make a business and a lifestyle out of it," she said.

The commission also amended the civil infraction penalties for dispensary violations. The recommendations will now go before the village council for approval. The council must hold a separate public hearing before approving the civil infraction amendment.