Recreational marijuana stores get closer to opening in Lansing as clerk gives conditional approval

Cannabis

City Clerk Chris Swope announced conditional approval of 11 recreational marijuana retailers Monday.

Before they can begin selling the drug for recreational use, the businesses will need to be fully licensed, which requires approval from the state of Michigan.

The facilities also will need to pass building safety inspections to obtain certificates of occupancy from the city. 

Eight retailers could open 'very soon'

Eight of the conditionally approved retailers already have full dispensary licenses from the city to distribute the drug to patients with medical marijuana cards. That means the recreational side of those businesses could be up and running "very soon," depending on the speed of state regulators, Swope said. 

Three of the Lansing retailers with conditional approval are not yet open as medical dispensaries, having only obtained conditional medical approval from the city. It will likely take more time for those retailers to start recreational sales. 

Under an ordinance adopted by Lansing City Council, the city may allow up to 28 retailers to sell marijuana for recreational use.

A single location could operate both as a medical dispensary and as a recreational retailer. Businesses with medical licenses have a fast track toward recreational approval. 

Read More at source: Lansing State Journal