Ludington council votes to establish new marijuana committee. 

Ludington council votes to establish new marijuana committee. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — On Monday, April 11, Ludington City Council voted 4-3 to create an ad hoc committee with the intent to create a proposed ordinance allowing marijuana facilities in the city limits. Voting in favor of the committee were councilors John Terzano, Wally Cain, Cheri Stibitz and John Bulger. Voting against the motion were councilors Kathy Winczewski, Ted May and Les Johnson. 

In Oct. 2019, the council voted 6-1 to create an ordinance prohibiting recreational marijuana facilities; it had also opted out of medical marijuana facilities. At that time, the council chose to “wait and see” for two years, studying other communities. Mayor Steve Miller said Monday that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a delay and that it is now time to revisit. 

In the meantime, Scottville City Commission is expected to take action on its ordinance, allowing both recreational and medical marijuana facilities, during its next regular meeting on Monday, April 25. The Scottville commission had been scheduled to take action during its meeting Monday, April 11, but decided to wait due to some minor language changes. 

The Ludington council listened to about an hour’s worth of public comment with people expressing their opinions about both sides of the marijuana debate. Mayor Miller then asked councilors to weigh-in. Councilor-at-large Terzano said he would be in favor of allowing marijuana establishments. Councilors Cain, Stibitz and Bulger both said they were open to exploring the topic further. Councilors May, Winczewski and Johnson all stated they were against it. 

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