Bear Lake Village President Shelly Lynnes is looking into a potential ordinance change which she hopes will help the village prosper.
The council unanimously approved a motion during its January meeting to have Lynnes talk to Rob Carson, Networks Northwest regional director of community development, or anyone else necessary to secure more information on marijuana sales or transport operations. The move allows the council to explore the possibility of writing an ordinance to allow for a cannabis business in the village.
“We have the buildings — we have one right here in town. … I think that this might be good for the village moving forward,” Lynnes said during the Jan. 25 meeting. “… It’s 2024, it’s legal, it certainly hasn’t caused more crime and it certainly hasn’t made towns fall apart. In fact, I think it has brought a lot of growth to the towns in the area.”
Trever Johnson, of Authentic 231 in Manistee, attended the meeting to field questions from the council.
Johnson said a retail location could lead to people spending more money in the village.
“What you are going to get out of it hopefully are people like our group coming into the community, putting money into the community, making the places around you look better, being involved in what’s happening,” he said. “I think that’s what you guys will get out of it, as well as … for your lake days, your music days, you’re going to get people to walk down that street that right now never leave their boat. … They’re going to hit the ramp and walk down the street and spend their money.”
Lynnes said attitudes toward recreational marijuana sales have changed in the past few years.
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