Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman issued a ruling Tuesday in a suit against the City of Three Rivers over a petition submitted this summer to place a marijuana ordinance on the November ballot. Stutesman ruled the petition, submitted by Jobs for Michigan Communities (JMC), does not conform to a state statute that dictates proper size and language.
Marijuana
Documents obtained by Watershed Voice Tuesday show additional details on the lawsuit filed in St. Joseph County Circuit Court last month pertaining to a petition on a Three Rivers marijuana ballot initiative.
Three Rivers City Commissioners voted Tuesday evening to draft marijuana ordinance language for the first available ballot next year. If passed, the ordinance would permit the establishment of a set number of marijuana retail businesses inside the city.
This morning, Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman spoke to attorneys for the plaintiff and defense in a lawsuit case around a City of Three Rivers marijuana ballot measure petition that City Clerk rejected last month.
Petitioners and city officials confirmed a lawsuit has been filed against the City of Three Rivers during the regular Three Rivers City Commission meeting on Tuesday.
The Colon Village Council continued an ongoing conversation on Tuesday about a proposed ordinance that would create a permitting process for medical marijuana businesses. Village Trustee Edward LeBoeuf provided details and answered other trustees’ questions about the proposed ordinance language.
The St. Joseph County Commission’s Executive Committee heard several proposals for review, as well as some project updates, at a meeting held Wednesday morning. County Administrator Teresa Doehring introduced a recommendation to sell a building to Covered Bridge Healthcare of St. Joseph County, which is based in Centreville. Covered Bridge currently occupies the building but leases it from the county.
“The cost to the Village and the people of Constantine from the aspects of including recreational marijuana sales here is incalculable. In fact, any new ordinance in the Village should spell out restrictions on marijuana for the protection of citizens — youngsters to the older generations — NO marijuana smoking in or adjacent to our parks and public spaces with adequate signage to that effect.” — Rebecca J. Shank