BANGOR TWP, MIÂ — A Bay County township has officially agreed to allow medical marijuana facilities into its municipality.
Bangor Township’s Board of Trustees unanimously adopted the “Medical Marihuana Facilities Ordinance” at its meeting Tuesday, July 11.
Supervisor Glenn Rowley said the 14,500-person township has now set itself up to allow medical marijuana facilities to open next year, pending applications and licensing. Rowley said the municipality is open for business.
“We are a go for medical marijuana facilities,” Rowley said.
Bangor joins Pinconning Township as the only other Bay County municipality to approve a similar ordinance.
The decision was made two months after Oasis Wellness Center, based out of Clawson, Michigan, was interested in setting up a grow and distribution facility in the Township. Oasis is interested in investing $21 million into the former Dow Chemical Co. and Crane Resistoflex building, 4675 E. Wilder Road, and creating more than 100 jobs.
More investors have been coming to sit down with the township, Rowley said. He added real estate transactions related to the medical marijuana industry are transpiring effective Wednesday.
As part of the state’s Medical Marijuana Facilities Licensing Act, which went into effect last December, application processes for licensed dispensaries is expected to be finalized by Dec. 31. Licenses could be distributed in the first quarter of 2018.
Currently the township is saying there shall be no more than 10 Class A grower permits, 10 for Class B and 30 for Class C. Rowley said Class C is the largest designation, which allows for up to a 40,000-square-foot facility and up to 1,500 plants, per license.
In addition, the township is recommending a maximum of 10 processor permits, six provisioning center permits, five safety compliance facilities permits and five secure transporter permits.
Bangor Township’s attorney still needs to approve the application that developers are required to fill out. Rowley expects that process to conclude next month.
Bangor Township residents have generally been in favor of the ordinance, Rowley said.
“It is still the same feel,” he said. “We’re hearing just positive things.”
Medical marijuana facilities could pop up in Bangor Township beginning in 2018. Rowley thanked the township’s trustees for doing their homework and understanding the process.
“We knew months ago that we were in a position to lead, follow or get out of the way with this one,” Rowley said. “I think the board took this on full steam. I applaud the entire board for their foresight and commitment on this.”
credit:mlive.com
