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LANSING'S MARIJUANA MORATORIUM COMES A LITTLE LATE

There will be no medical marijuana dispensaries opened in Lansing until Lansing's City Council can figure out proper licensing and regulation. 

That's the responsible action for a governing body to take.  Unless, of course, there already are almost 70 dispensaries currently operating that would not be subject to some of the new potential regulations. 

Lansing City Council passed a moratorium Monday on the licensing and opening of new medical marijuana dispensaries for the next six months while it sorts out regulations and licensing processes, according to the Lansing State Journal. 

Dozens of operations managed to get onboard the list of businesses at the last minute and have secured their places on the list of pre-existing businesses, which excludes them from the moratorium. 

East Lansing City Council successfully avoided this conundrum by passing a moratorium in August until it can work out regulation details.  East Lansing's approach, although a bit cumbersome, looks brilliant next to Lansing's delayed reaction. 

When the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, or MMMA, passed in 2008, it left huge gaps in regulation in terms of what is allowed under the law. 

Since then, municipalities have struggled to find a solution that fits each of their communities.  Some have banned the sale and distribution of medical marijuana and others simply will not deal with the issue any further than the state law. 

Once the MMMA passed, it should have been obvious to local governments that the regulations of medical marijuana would be an important issue -- especially large cities such as Lansing that have ample room for new business. 

An ideal situation would be city governments anticipating simple issues such as this and working to find solutions beforehand.  Furthermore, it should not have taken so long for Lansing City Council to act. 

That being said, there are many voices to be heard in this process including residents, dispensary owners, city officials, medical marijuana patients and police. 

There should be caution in valuing the opinions of owners currently operating dispensaries and medical marijuana patients because of their direct involvement in the issue. 

Businesses want customers, less competition and higher prices.  Patients want variety, low prices and security when they buy their medication. 

Regulations should strive to please Lansing residents by limiting dispensaries to certain city zones and distances away from rehab facilities, and other potentially sensitive sites such as churches and schools. 

Community balance and diversity is important to maintain, while at the same time addressing the issue of openness. 

Given the large amount of businesses that have sprung up, it probably

will be the free market that pares down the number of dispensaries.