Editorial: Tri-community seems to be opting out of pot shops

Since the Nov. 6 election that approved recreational marijuana in Michigan, the tri-community municipalities have been heading toward opt-out status – for now.
They can’t opt out of recreational marijuana because that is now carved in stone. But they can opt out of allowing dispensaries and growing centers in their communities.
The state has to formulate the rules and the local communities seem to want to wait until they know what the rules are before agreeing to participate.
On Nov. 13, the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees agreed – informally – to opt out for now and wait to see what the rules will be. They plan to pass the required ordinance that would ban dispensaries and grow sites within their borders, for now.
On Monday, the Belleville City Council received a packet of information on the law and the city manager indicated the city would have to opt out in the future.
On Tuesday, Sumpter Township attorney Rob Young said he would prepare the required ordinance to opt out for Sumpter for the next meeting. He would not be present, but he said the ordinance would be there and the board could pass it or not. It takes two meetings to pass an ordinance.
Looks like the tri-community is opting out from the recreational marijuana business for now. Officials need to take their time to make sure decisions are right.