IRON MOUNTAIN — Applications to operate medical marijuana businesses will be accepted beginning in early July after the Iron Mountain City Council approved local regulations Monday.

No one spoke in opposition to such businesses during a 30-minute public hearing that included two military veterans who said they’ve found marijuana to be an effective alternative to opioid painkillers.

In all, eight area residents spoke in favor of allowing medical marijuana shops. Tina Zarcone, a home health care specialist, said it provides “just another option” for relief of pain and anxiety. “Opiates aren’t that great,” she said.

Potential businesses will have a 45-day application period once the ordinance takes effect in 30 days, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said.

“It made our job a little easier, I think,” Mayor Dale Alessandrini said of Monday’s public input. “I’m glad it’s going to work out.”

The council voted 5-0 to approve both a medical marijuana facilities ordinance and accompanying zoning rules. Council member Kyle Blomquist abstained because of a conflict with his architectural business.

In addition to dispensaries, the ordinance provides rules to regulate growing, processing, transporting and safety compliance facilities. Only two of each will be allowed. A combination of state-licensed activities may take place at a single site.

If the number of applicants exceeds the city’s licensing quota, a scoring system will come into play. The council is finalizing the criteria, including factors such as the total investment and the applicant’s demonstrated competence.

By state requirements, processing and growing must take place in an industrial-zoned area. The city’s zoning, meanwhile, allows dispensaries in commercial areas as long as they are least 500 feet from a school.

This city’s application fee for a medical marijuana facility will be $1,500 per license, with an annual fee of $5,000 for a facility license.

The council has yet to take a position on whether recreational marijuana sales will be allowed in Iron Mountain.

Michigan’s Bureau of Marijuana Regulation is expected to soon publish emergency rules for recreational marijuana, allowing businesses to apply for licenses for sales beginning next year. Recreational marijuana licenses likely will be sought by many current medical marijuana businesses.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Michigan for a decade, while recreational marijuana was approved by voters last November.