There were two marijuana proposals on the ballot in Berrien County this week, and one passed while one failed.
Voters in Niles Township approved language that will allow marijuana retailers. Township Supervisor Marge Durm-Hiatt tells us the township board now has to get to work drafting an ordinance to govern them.
Among other things, trustees will have to decide how many marijuana shops will be allowed, and exactly where. The ballot question specified four, and said they must be located on Eleventh Street south of Fulkerson Road. However, Durm-Hiatt says that’s the minimum and trustees may expand on that.
The question was placed on the ballot due to a citizen petition and was passed this week on a vote of about 3,000 to 2,750.
Durm-Hiatt says since the day after the election, people have been stopping by the township office to inquire about opening a marijuana retailer in town. She believes they could be a boost to the community, each location meaning $59,000 per year in taxes for the township and a lot of traffic being so close to the state line.
For now, the township board has to draft that ordinance. Pot shops could start to open in Niles Township next year.
The other marijuana proposal was in Royalton Township, and voters said no.
Royalton Township Manager Steve Tilly tells us it was also on the ballot due to a petition drive, despite the township board’s opposition. The vote came out to 55% opposed and 44% in favor. Tilly says there will be no ordinance coming.
