Village of Holly Welcoming Marijuana Business Applications
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 15, 2021)
Holly, MI – The Village of Holly will soon be accepting applications for marijuana-related businesses.
At the Village Council meeting of Feb. 8, council members voted 4-3 to allow a limited number of businesses in each marijuana-related business class. The ordinance will allow up to two retail facilities, and up to five each of the following: marijuana grow facilities, marijuana safety compliance facilities, processing facilities, and secure transport facilities.
There are limitations as far as locations, including proximity to churches and schools, but officials are optimistic that old industrial buildings will be attractive places for such businesses to thrive.
For the retail businesses, limitations are set on the hours so that it is not open before 6am or after 9pm. Signage may not include the marijuana leaf. Odors must be contained to the property, and there shall be no consumption on premises.
For the other business types, exterior signage that identifies it was a marijuana-related business is prohibited. Rules govern details like security requirements, smells, sanitation, parking requirements, and product safety.
Interested applicants can review the ordinance on the Village of Holly website, and can submit applications through the month of March. Once applications are accepted there will be scoring and review in April and May, with Village Council considering the applications in June.
Applicants must be licensed by the Village and by the State, with licenses up for renewal each year. The Village, and the State, may also revoke a license if they fail to adhere to the rules.
Village leaders toured marijuana operations in other cities, and spoke with officials about the challenges and the benefits. They also heard presentations from experts and held public meetings to discuss the potential. Holly modeled their ordinance after Chesaning, Michigan’s.
“Any grow facility wanting to come into the village would only pour potentially millions of dollars into developing those properties, therefore not only addressing blight, but also raising tax revenue,” said Councilperson Ryan Delaney.
The ordinance changes were supported by President Tom McKenney and councilpersons Buster Winebrenner, Rick Powers and Ryan Delaney. Richard Kinnamon, Jim Perkins, and Debra Musgrave voted no.
More information about the application process will be on the Village of Holly website prior to March 1.
