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1. Many of the 30% that voted against recreational marijuana will voice their opposition loudly to marijuana land uses in Royal Oak. How do we ensure that the 70% who voted for it are heard?

A scientific survey is being utilized to ensure a proper representation of November 2018 Royal Oak voters are reached.  Additionally, the March 4 town hall (and any future town hall or public meetings scheduled) are advertised on the city’s social media outlets; our website and announced through the eBlast News which is delivered via email to every household in Royal Oak who has registered.  

2. Is there concern conducting commercial marijuana business in Royal Oak will attract criminal enterprises and have another negative impacts on the city?

Available statistics do not indicate a rise in criminal activity in Michigan communities that currently house medical marijuana commercial enterprises.   Business operators protect their properties and their investment with state-of-the-art security measures.

3. How will having recreational marijuana commercial businesses help our families and children?

While you may not think it seems to fit, a majority of Royal Oak voters did approve the ballot initiative that, among other things, legalized the recreational / adult-use marijuana statewide. Recreational adult use marijuana is now legal and Royal Oak has no authority under state law to change that. We cannot say how it might benefit families and children, other than if the city allows commercial marijuana business there is a potential for some financial gain through a share of the excise tax, however, even if we were to be a part of this, there is no way to forecast how much money the city could gain.

4. Would allowing a limited number of facilities that sell recreational marijuana to adults have a net positive or negative economic impact to the city?

Positive economic impact would include the collection of fees for business licensing procedures, which have to be reasonably related to the administering and enforcing of the MMRTM Act; property taxes and the inclusion for revenue sharing with the State of Michigan.  

5. Considering voters already passed the law approving recreational marijuana, what reasons would the City of Royal Oak have to opt out of commercial marijuana business including provisioning centers?

Voters may have had different reasons for approving the proposal to decriminalize marijuana. Those reasons may or may not include having commercial marijuana enterprises in their community.  

6. Can the city consider not permitting marijuana use at all in Royal Oak?

The city cannot defy state law.  It is now lawful for individuals 21-years of age and older to use marijuana -- as long as those individuals are legally possessing and using marijuana.

7. How do we deal with private outdoor smoking of marijuana, when neighbors may complain of the smell?

If a resident is on their private property using marijuana legally (over the age of 21-years and have 2.5 ounces or less), the Royal Oak Police Department cannot stop them.  

8. Will the use of marijuana be allowed at private events at the farmers market?

This is one of the questions the city needs to address and why the city commission is seeking opinions from voters.  If Royal Oak decides this is a use they would like to permit, lease agreements for individuals having private events would need to be amended to cover provisions for allowing marijuana to be consumed legally at private events and insurance requirements for those individuals would need to be considered.  

9. How will legalized marijuana impact large public events like Arts, Beats & Eats? Will police strictly enforce the provision for no smoking marijuana in public?

We cannot say with any certainty how this new law will affect any of our special events, however, certain violations, like smoking marijuana in public, will be strictly enforced by the police department.