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IRON MOUNTAIN -- The ordinance that governs marijuana businesses in Iron Mountain will be revisited to possibly allow more dispensaries, the city council decided Monday.
The action comes as two established growing facilities in the city complain that their product isn't being offered by Rize or Lume, the two enterprises awarded retail licenses in 2019 through a competitive process.
The Source, which has a growing facility on North U.S. 2, and Superior Selections, which renovated a vacant warehouse on East Smith Street, are on a waiting list for dispensary licenses. But unless Rize or Lume were to forfeit their permits, there is no timeline under the current ordinance for additional licenses to be granted, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said.
Stosh Wasik of Marquette, co-owner of The Fire Station Cannabis Co., addressed the council Monday to seek an expansion of retail licensing. The Fire Station would include products from The Source and Superior Selections, as well as Smoke UP Farms, also an Iron Mountain grower, he said.
Dan Kreider, representing Superior Selections, said Crystal Falls and Hannahville are now the nearest outlets for the company's products. "Iron Mountain-grown marijuana cannot be purchased here," he said.
The council made no commitment but agreed to have Stanchina and City Attorney Gerry Pirkola prepare a legal summary for its Oct. 3 meeting.
"We have a market that's going elsewhere," said council member Nathan Zemar, encouraging a review of licensing expansion.
Zemar two years ago suggested the city have no cap on the number of dispensaries, but his proposal stalled after Pirkola warned it could invite litigation. Rize pledged a $5 million investment, while Lume committed to a $2 million project in securing their licenses.
If the city were to amend its marijuana ordinance, the process would include a public hearing, Stanchina noted.
In other action Monday, the council:
-- Adopted an ordinance amendment to set hours of operation for the four pickleball courts on Stanton Street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The ordinance was drafted after some neighbors had complained this summer about play as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 9:30 p.m. Council member Pam Maule, who had favored a 7 a.m. start, voted no.
-- Accepted a $326,000 bid from Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain for paving projects. The schedule includes 1,830 feet of Parkview Drive beginning at Harding Avenue; 1,125 feet of Antoine Street from North Milwaukee Avenue to Milliman Street; and 715 feet of Cedar Avenue between East D and East F streets. About 1,000 feet of alleys are also listed -- near Huntington Bank between West F and West G streets; near Leeds Real Estate between West H and West G streets; and near Janet Street between Lincoln and Antoine streets. With $400,000 budgeted, additional paving is possible, Stanchina said. Some of the work might also be delayed until 2023, depending on weather.