© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Medical Marijuana Ordinance Takes Early Step In Lansing

Marijuana plant photo
Flickr/Creative Commons

A new proposed ordinance on regulating and licensing medical marijuana businesses goes before the Lansing city council tonight.

The newly-crafted ordinance makes changes to the allowable distances between medical marijuana establishments from schools, parks, churches and other medical marijuana facilities. It also lays out new guidelines on the licensing process.

Council member Carol Wood is vice chairperson of the committee on public safety, which has been working on the ordinance. She says tonight’s council action will set a schedule for moving forward, adding that this is “very early in the process.” She continues, "this ordinance doesn't go into effect, and wouldn't go into effect, until the state was ready to start doing their licensing."

Wood says the city needs to avoid the possible ramifications of allowing a medical marijuana business to operate for a period of time before any state licensing that might take effect.

Tonight’s Lansing city council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the council chambers on the tenth floor of city hall.

Scott Pohl has maintained an on-call schedule reporting for WKAR following his retirement after 36 years on the air at the station.
Related Content
WKAR has closed the gap left by the loss of federal funding. Because of you, trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and classical music remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan.
Now the work continues — your monthly gift helps maintain this success and keeps public media free for all.