HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — Trustees discussed the possible revision of an earlier resolution regarding marijuana dispensaries in the township at Wednesday’s regular meeting.

The previous resolution, put in place in 2023, prohibited adult-use cannabis operators, medical marijuana cultivation processors and retail dispensaries from operating in unincorporated areas of the township.

Trustee William Colletta raised the topic to gather input from both the board and Meg Evans, a member of the township’s zoning commission, regarding a possible change. Colletta mentioned there was an unspecified group interested in establishing these facilities in the township

He indicated there were two options: leaving the resolution as is or amending it to allow one distributorship into the township.

Evans said the zoning commission did discuss the issue.

“The pros were that it’s possible revenue for the township; dispensaries currently collect 10% additional sales tax on all sales. The people who want to put the dispensary in are saying they could have revenue of upwards to $8 million to $10 million per year, which I thought was an exaggeration,” Evans said. “So I calculated it and it would amount to $144,000 of revenue for the township.

Evans said they believed a potential location, behind an Arby’s, was far enough from residential areas. She said the township could limit the number of dispensaries in the township and limit their distance from certain places.

As for the cons, Evans noted that a winery in the township sparked protests from residents around 8 to 10 years ago.

Concerns also arose about competition, citing the presence of an ACA Dispensaries facility in the city, as well as the potential strain on the township’s law enforcement

Additionally, there were questions about the clientele of the facility and the risk of students attempting to enter the dispensary, given that many visit nearby fast food restaurants after school.

However, Evans clarified that dispensaries have strict access policies.

Evans said there were also concerns that the township would be contributing to the drug abuse problem.

“Overall, the committee’s opinion was no, we shouldn’t make an amendment to that; we should not let a dispensary (in),” she said. “The only good thing was the revenue we could possibly get.”

Evans pointed out Senate Bill 56, which would nix the host community fee and allow the state to collect all revenue from the facilities, also increasing the sales tax to 15%.

“Until we find out what they do with this (Senate Bill 56), if they’re going to take the revenue away, there’s no reason to allow a dispensary,” she said.

Trustees decided to keep the current resolution as is, for now.